Oral Pathology Treatment in OKC

Oral & Maxillofacial Associates of Oklahoma offers oral pathology treatment in Oklahoma City, Norman, Midwest City, and Edmond, OK. To schedule an appointment call 405-848-7994 (Oklahoma City), 405-292-8900 (Norman), 405-733-4296 (Midwest City), 405-341-4022 (Edmond), or 405-751-3312 Lakeside.

With 30 years of experience, the board-certified oral surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Associates of Oklahoma are experts in diagnosing and surgically treating tumors of the mouth, head, and neck.

Cysts, tumors, and severe infections of the mouth and facial region may be caused by many different cancerous or non-cancerous conditions, and may affect any structures of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, or neck. Our surgeons recommend that you have any lumps, sores, or unusual conditions checked as soon as possible. We also recommend that you perform an oral cancer self-examination monthly.

The soft tissues inside the mouth are normally smooth and coral to pink in color. Any change in this appearance could be a warning sign of a problem, the most serious of which is oral cancer. Although many conditions are benign, it is impossible to tell without a professional examination. If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with us right away:

• Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth
• A sore that bleeds easily and fails to heal
• A lump or thickening of the skin inside the mouth
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes may be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, gum tissue, tongue, face, and/or neck.

Please note that facial and/or oral pain without a clear cause could be a sign of oral cancer, but many cases of oral cancer do not cause any pain at all. Therefore, pain could be considered another warning sign, but the lack of pain should not be taken as a sign that all is well.

Depending on the specifics of your case, we may use an excisional biopsy to remove an entire lesion, or we might take just a small tissue sample with an incisional biopsy. Either way, we will use a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the area. The entire process should take less than half an hour, and you might or might not receive dissolving sutures.

When the anesthetic wears off, you are free to resume eating, drinking, and oral hygiene as normal. There should be minimal bleeding, which can be stopped by applying direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze pad or a clean washcloth. Avoid biting directly on the affected area for 24 hours. You can return to work or school the next day, and you will have a follow-up appointment in about a week to discuss your results.

There are numerous surgical and non-surgical treatments for oral pathology, depending on the specific diagnosis. If pathology is found, we will discuss your treatment options during your follow-up visit.

Call our office at 405-848-7994 (Oklahoma City), 405-292-8900 (Norman), 405-733-4296 (Midwest City), 405-341-4022 (Edmond), or 405-751-3312 Lakeside. to schedule your initial consultation.