Being told that you need a biopsy can be a scary thing. At Gainesville Periodontics, we understand that our patients need a caring, professional experience that takes the stress out of getting a biopsy. For more than XX years, we’ve helped countless Gainesville patients protect their health with biopsies, diagnoses and treatment for oral diseases and issues.

What Is An Oral Biopsy?

An oral biopsy is a procedure used to diagnose abnormal growths or lesions in the mouth. During the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed from the affected area and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis can help determine whether the growth or lesion is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Dental biopsies are used to diagnose a wide variety of dental issues, including cancer.

Types of Oral Biopsies

There are several types of oral biopsies, including incisional, excisional, and needle biopsies.

• Incisional biopsies involve removing a small portion of the affected tissue
• Excisional biopsies involve removing the entire growth or lesion
• Needle biopsies use a needle to extract cells from the affected area for analysis

What Happens After An Oral Biopsy?

Periodontal biopsies are in-office procedures that require only local anesthetic, so you will be comfortable during the entire procedure. At home, OTC pain relievers and good oral hygiene are usually all that’s required for the recovery period, which is short. The results of your oral biopsy will determine the course of treatment. If the growth or lesion is benign, the periodontist may simply monitor it to ensure that it does not grow or change over time. If the biopsy reveals a malignant growth or lesion, you may need further treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Have Questions About Dental Biopsies?

Dr. Barclay and the Gainesville Periodontics team would be happy to answer all your questions and help you feel comfortable and confident about the oral biopsy procedure. Give us a call today!