Oral Biopsy in Houston, TX
Oral cancer can be just as threatening to your health as other types of cancer, but it is often overlooked. It is recommended that you have an oral cancer screening approximately once a year during an appointment for a routine exam and cleaning, especially if you have a family history of the disease. The Dentists at 650 Heights is here to provide this service to patients in Houston, TX. Additionally, if cancer is detected, an oral biopsy can be performed to determine the exact risk of cancer.
What is an Oral Biopsy?
An oral biopsy is a procedure used to determine whether a detected abnormality is precancerous, cancerous, or benign. It is an important step to take in deciding what to do next in treating the abnormality.
How is an Oral Biopsy Performed?
The procedure is fairly quick and simple. First, a thorough exam of the head and neck will be performed. Once this has been completed, you will have a small portion of the suspicious tissue removed. This sample will be sent to a pathologist, who will check it for cancer cells. If any are found, your dentist 77007 or specialist will use the report from the pathologist to determine the best form of treatment.
Types of Oral Biopsies
There are different types of biopsies that can be performed by our dentist in Houston, TX. In-office biopsies usually do not require any preparation, but our dentist near you will tell you which medications need to be withheld (if any) before your procedure. Either local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used for these procedures.
- Exfoliative cytology: cells are scraped away from the suspicious area. It is quick, painless, and noninvasive, so it is most often used in areas that only look slightly suspicious.
- Incisional biopsy: a sample of tissue is cut out for testing.
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: performed when a lump is found on the neck. A very thin needle is used to draw out fluid or cells from the lump.
At the office of The Dentists at 650 Heights, your health is our top priority. We are proud to offer oral biopsies and oral cancer screenings in Houston, TX, to help maintain your oral health. We have previously served the people of Houston Heights, North Heights, Greater Heights, and Shady Acres.