Oral Pathology

Oral Pathology

Oral pathology is a dental specialty that deals with the study and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. It also includes the oral manifestations of systemic diseases. The main aim of oral pathology is to diagnose oral cancer and precancer, evaluate biopsy specimens, identify patients with predispositions to certain head and neck cancers, monitor patients after cancer treatment, and educate patients about preventive oral health practices. 

When evaluating your oral health, your dentist may uncover an oral issue that requires further examination and treatment. Sometimes, these issues are fully treatable but more often, they require more advanced care. That’s where we come in.

What Will the Dentist Do During This Appointment?

During your appointment, our dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, cheeks, jaws, and other oral structures for any sign of oral pathology. We will carefully examine your mouth to look for any physical or behavioral signs. Some of the things she may look for are teeth that appear longer or larger than normal, lumps or other abnormalities in the soft tissue of your mouth, pain or swelling in your gums, bleeding, and difficulty chewing. The earlier we are able to identify and treat an oral pathology condition, the better the outcome will be. 

Oral Cancer: The Common Condition Diagnosed Under Oral Pathology

One of the most common types of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which affects half of the people who have it. All forms of cancer result in the abnormal growth of cells in the body that don’t stop spreading and destroying healthy tissue. This leads to pain and discomfort as well as damage to the surrounding tissues. Additional symptoms may include bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing or flossing, pain when chewing, tender gums, and loose teeth.

If caught early, treatment for this type of cancer is usually successful. Treatment options may include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. It’s important to get regular screenings for oral cancer so that it can be caught and treated early. This way, it won’t spread and require more complex treatment later on.

To find out more about the dental services we offer at our dental practice, Call this number (406) 727-4322 or request an appointment from our website to get a consultation. You can also visit us at 2511 Bobcat Way, Great Falls, MT 59405, or 515 14th Street West, Havre, MT 59501.