Oral medicine is a specialty of dentistry related to the management of the soft tissue diseases of the mouth. This involves the diagnosis and non-surgical management of medical conditions in the mouth and nearby structures. Many systemic diseases have signs and symptoms that manifest in the orofacial area.
At Implant Perio Inc you can get specialised diagnosis, management and even treatment for various oral medicine conditions, such as:An oral cancer screening just may save your life!
Cancer is a disease that occurs when uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the body occurs. These cells are referred to as malignant and cancerous. Oral cancer occurs on the lips (usually the lower lip), inside the mouth, salivary glands, tonsils, on the back of the throat, oesophagus, and the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth.
A cancer screening is a precautionary measure, and not diagnostic. If it is found that there is nothing to worry about, the patient may be requested to return for a follow-up appointment to monitor the area/areas for any changes that may take place over time.
An oral cancer screening is both a visual and physical evaluation of the oral cavity and surrounding areas of the face and neck. A screening may be done on a patient’s request to set their mind at ease, or as result of a referral from another physician who may be concerned about the patient’s health.
Should Dr Stander find that there is need for further investigation to get a diagnosis of a certain symptom, a biopsy may be required. Keep in mind that results which may require further investigation are not necessarily a cancer diagnosis. Many oral conditions present with similar signs and symptoms; thus, the results need to be narrowed down for a definitive diagnosis.
A biopsy is a simple procedure done in the dental chair, during which the area of concern is anaesthetised (numbed) and a small piece of the tissue is excised. This is then sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis. The results are returned to us within a week after which the patient will be consulted for the removal of the sutures and to discuss the biopsy results. Maintenance and treatment will depend on the biopsy results.