Oral Pathology

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.

The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth:

• Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
• A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness and/or difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we can assist you with any questions or concerns.

Identafi Oral Cancer Screening System

Our office now utilizes Identafi, a revolutionary hand-held device for oral cancer screening. The detection is made through the processing of optical fluorescence and reflectance in certain body tissues. The Identafi core technologies are based on high-speed, high-resolution capabilities from its patented optical processing technology and includes the ability to identify metabolic and physiologic differences in diseased and healthy tissue in the human body.. Suspicious regions do not fluoresce and appear dark. The procedure takes only a few minutes and is painless, non-invasive, and there are no rinses or stains required.