A biopsy is a tissue sample that a medical or dental surgeon collects from you for testing in a lab. A dental biopsy takes tissue from the mouth, such as gum tissue, that appears abnormal. Also called a gingival biopsy, a dental biopsy can lead to a diagnosis or rule out possible causes of unusual growths or lesions on the gum tissue.
There are a few different types of gingival biopsy, including:
Incisional biopsies
Incisional biopsies are the most common type. Your dentist at Dental Specialists of New Jersey cuts out a sample of gum tissue from your mouth and sends it to a lab for close examination.
Excisional biopsies
Excisional biopsies involve the removal of an entire growth or lesion on the gums. Your dentist also removes a thin margin of healthy tissue around the growth and sends it to a lab for testing.
There are a few signs and symptoms that could indicate your need for a biopsy at Dental Specialists of New Jersey. We will examine your mouth and ask you about any symptoms that have occurred. We may recommend a biopsy to diagnose the underlying cause of the following:
- Gum ulcers.
- Red or white patches on the gums.
- Gum swelling that doesn’t go away.
- Gum changes that lead to loose teeth or ill-fitting dentures.
You may or may not experience discomfort alongside these issues. Our team might also use imaging tests such as dental X-rays, or computed tomography (CT) scans for a deeper look into the gums for signs of cancer.
You won’t need to do much to prepare for your biopsy at Dental Specialists of New Jersey ahead of time. Our team encourages you to bring in a list of any current medications that you take and herbal supplements you use consistently. We may advise you to stop taking certain medications.
The Dental Specialists of New Jersey team makes sure you’re comfortable during a biopsy by providing local anesthesia or, if desired, general anesthesia.
