Oral Pathology Detection & Treatment for Oral Disease

Annual oral cancer screenings can save your life. Sometimes, oral cancer does not present noticeable symptoms and can affect many people without them knowing. Any changes in or around your mouth should be evaluated by a dental expert to rule out the possibility of oral cancer.

Contact Beverly Hills Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants if you have noticed any changes in your mouth or if it’s time for an oral cancer screening. Dr. Aynechi is a dual-degree, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who can detect and manage many oral diseases, including oral cancer. The earlier oral cancer or disease is caught and treated, the better the outcome.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer or Disease

Oral cancer does not always cause pain or uncomfortable symptoms. Without regular dental screenings, oral cancer can go undetected for many years and may not be recognized until it has made serious progression. Seeing your dentist for regular checkups is important because your dentist will check for signs of oral cancer or disease. If you have not had a dental visit in a while, it may be time to have an oral cancer screening.

We recommend performing a self-exam of your mouth every month. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact our office as soon as possible so we can assess the abnormality and rule out oral cancer.

• A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal
• A lump or thickening
• A white or red patch anywhere in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty fully moving the tongue or jaw
• Numbness of any part of the mouth
• Jaw swelling
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our office for an appointment.

Oral Pathology Treatment

Treatment for oral cancer or disease will depend on the type and severity of the pathological process. During your appointment, Dr. Aynechi will examine your head, neck, mouth, and face to assess and diagnose abnormalities. We may take 3D scans to assess your facial bone and soft tissues and detect any hidden oral health concerns.

A biopsy may be performed, which is a minimally invasive procedure that involves collecting a small tissue sample to send to a lab for a diagnosis. Local anesthesia is often the only type of anesthesia necessary to perform a biopsy, which will numb only the surgical area. The diagnosis will determine if the pathological process is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).

Benign growths or infections can often be treated with oral medications, creams, prescription mouth rinses, or a simple surgical procedure to remove the growth. Treatment for oral cancer may include medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or others.