Payson Dental and Orthodontics provides dental biopsies to diagnose gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental conditions. We invite you to contact our office at 801-465-7966 to make an appointment with Dr. Brian Kraft, and for more details about dental biopsies in Payson, Utah.
A dental biopsy is a medical procedure in which our dentist removes a sample of gum or soft tissue from your mouth for analysis at a lab. Dental biopsies are most frequently used to test for periodontal, or gum, disease and oral cancer. Dental biopsies allow us to diagnose:
- Sores or lesions on your gums that last longer than two weeks
- White or red patches on your gums
- Ulcers on your gums
- Swelling in your gums that does not go away
- Changes in your gums that may be causing you to have loose teeth or dentures
Dental biopsies are often used alongside imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
During your dental biopsy, our dentist will sterilize the area of tissue to be diagnosed, and will administer a local anesthesia to numb the area. If the location of your biopsy is difficult to reach, our dentist may provide a general anesthetic, allowing you to sleep through the procedure and avoid discomfort or pain while our dentist moves about your mouth to reach the area. Following your biopsy, your mouth may be numb for a few hours. When the anesthetic wears off, you may return to your normal activities and diet. The site of your biopsy may be sore for a few days, and our dentist might ask that you avoid brushing around the site for a few days. If your gums bleed, swell, or remain sore for an extended period of time, please contact our office.
The tissue sample taken during your biopsy will be sent to a lab for analysis. If your biopsy shows gum disease, oral cancer, or another condition, our dentist will work with you to create a treatment plan that will restore you to oral health.
If you have any questions about dental biopsies, or to schedule an appointment with our dentist, please contact our practice.
