Patients are often referred to Dr. Dudek by their dentist or physician for evaluations of soft or hard tissue abnormalities for biopsy.  Soft tissue lesions generally involve ulcers that do not heal, patches or discolorations of areas in the mouth, bumps that flares up, and discoloration on the gums, lips, cheek, tongue or salivary glands. Hard tissue pathology encompasses alterations in teeth or bone.  Oral biopsy in the mouth, soft palate, and throat can be carried out comfortably with sedation and usually minimal recovery time. Biopsies of the mouth, face, and throat are all sent to a board certified head and neck pathologist who specializes in the microscopic/histologic analysis of only oral and maxillofacial pathology of the mouth, head and neck and has the specific expertise to accurately read these specialized tissues properly without missing crucial details.

Tissue changes do not always mean cancer, but without performing biopsies, it is hard to rule out malignant cells.   Dr. Dudek strongly suggests to get your teeth cleaned and evaluated every 4 to 6 months and to have your dentist check areas in your mouth for:

• red or white patches of the oral tissues

• a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily

• an abnormal lump or thickening of the tissues of the mouth

• chronic sore throat or hoarseness

• difficulty in chewing or swallowing

• a mass or lump in the neck