Why would my dentist recommend an oral biopsy?

Curious about what you can expect from your oral biopsy, and why you'd require one? Our dentists in Burnaby explain the procedure and answer common questions about this dental surgery.

What is an oral biopsy?

For this surgical procedure, a sample of tissue is taken from a patient's oral cavity so that it can be examined, usually so a diagnosis can be made.

Why would an oral biopsy be recommended?

If a lesion develops that interferes with your oral function, you might require a biopsy to determine the cause so a proper diagnosis can be given and treatment prescribed. The oral cavity may also have inflammatory changes or there may be bone lesions that your dentist is unable to identify with X-rays or a clinical examination. 

If your dentist suspects you have oral cancer (which is found in the mouth, neck and head), a biopsy may be done. If a diagnosis of cancer has already been given, a biopsy can help determine the stage and extend of the cancer, in addition to the source. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat a range of illnesses and injuries affecting the neck, jaw, face and mouth. If required, you may be referred to a surgeon. During your appointment with a surgeon, a thorough exam of your head and neck will be done and an oral biopsy performed. You may also be referred to a otolaryngoloist (an ear, nose and throat doctor).

During the oral biopsy, a small sample of suspicious tissue will be removed from your mouth or oropharynx and sent to a pathologist, where it will be examined for disease. Based on the information in the pathologist's report, a custom treatment plan can be developed.

Types of Oral Biopsies

The 6 types of oral biopsies include:

Aspiration Biopsy

A needle and syringe are used to remove a sample of cells or contents from a lesion. If the oral surgeon is not able to drain fluid or air, it may mean the lesion is solid.

Brush Biopsy

The surgeon applies firm pressure with a circular brush, rotating it to pick up cellular material that will later be transferred to a glass slide, preserved and dried.

Cytology

This type of oral biopsy aids in the diagnosis of lesions in the oral cavity. These lesions may be caused by infections, herpes or post-radiation changes.

Though individual cells can be examined, an accurate and definitive diagnosis may not be possible without an excisional or incisional biopsy also being performed.

Excisional Biopsy

Performed for small oral lesions (typically measuring less than 1 cm) that appear benign during a clinical exam, an excisional biopsy completely removes the lesion.

Incisional Biopsy

Your surgeon will complete this type of biopsy to obtain a representative sample of the oral lesion. If your oral lesion is large or has differing characteristics, more than one area may need to be sampled.

Punch Biopsy

Best suited for diagnosing oral manifestations of ulcerative and mucocutaneous conditions of the oral cavity (such as lichen planus), a punch biopsy is completed using a punch tool.

How should I prepare for my oral biopsy?

You do not need to do much to prepare for a biopsy appointment. If the biopsy will be performed on part of a bone, your dentist will recommend X-rays or CT scans first, and ask that you not eat anything for a few hours before the biopsy.

Once you arrive, you’ll typically be asked to rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. Local anesthesia is usually used and you will likely be awake for the procedure. However, you may be provided general anesthesia if the lesion is in an area of the mouth that’s hard to reach.

Is an oral biopsy painful?

You shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure – perhaps just a sharp pin prick or pinch as local anesthetic is injected, or as the needle is used to take the biopsy. The use of instruments may also result in some minor pressure as the sample is collected.

After anesthesia wears off, depending on where the biopsy was performed the site may feel sore for several days. You may want to stick to soft foods and take over-the-counter medication for pain (avoid taking NSAIDS, which can increase the risk for bleeding).

If you experience significant pain from the biopsy, you may be prescribed pain medications.

Do you have questions about your upcoming oral biopsy? Our Burnaby dentists can address any inquiries or concerns.

Do you have questions or concerns about your upcoming oral biopsy at Oakmount Dental? Our Burnaby dentists can address inquiries or concerns you may have. Contact us today.

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Location

Oakmount Dental
5266 Oakmount Crescent Burnaby BC V5H 4S1 CA

Phone Number

(604) 438-8238

Hours of Operation

  • Monday:12:00 pm - 08:00 pm
  • Tuesday:08:00 am - 05:00 pm
  • Wednesday:12:00 pm - 08:00 pm
  • Thursday:08:00 am - 05:00 pm
  • Friday:08:00 am - 04:00 pm
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:Closed

(604) 438-8238