The mouth is 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. Your Oral surgeon or sedation dentist will perform a complete oral examination during your consultation.

Any suspicious lumps, sores, or other abnormalities may be recommended for a biopsy. Usually, this can be completed under local anesthetic with a few dissolvable sutures. Specimens are sent to UNC Department of Oral pathology and it typically takes 2 weeks for results to come back.

We recommend you keep your routine visits at your dentist’s office as this will help with frequent Oral pathology screenings.

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