Getting a Clear Diagnosis for Spots, Lumps, Cysts, and Other Oral Changes
Finding an unusual area in the mouth can be stressful. A spot, bump, sore, cyst, or x-ray finding does not automatically mean something serious is going on, but it does mean the area should be evaluated carefully.
An oral biopsy is a procedure used to remove a small sample of tissue, bone, or other material so it can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. This allows us to get a clear diagnosis and determine whether any further treatment is needed.
At Schiffman Oral Surgery, Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman perform both soft tissue and hard tissue biopsies in a comfortable oral surgery setting for patients throughout Woodmere, the Five Towns, Nassau County, Queens, and surrounding Long Island communities.
What is an Oral Biopsy?
An oral biopsy is a minor surgical procedure used to diagnose an abnormal area in the mouth or jaw.
Depending on the situation, a biopsy may involve removing all of the abnormal area or removing a small representative sample. The tissue is then sent to a pathology laboratory, where it is carefully examined under a microscope.
The biopsy result helps answer important questions:
- What is the area?
- Is it benign?
- Is it inflammatory, infectious, cystic, or related to another condition?
- Does it need additional treatment?
- Does it need to be monitored over time?
The goal is to avoid guessing. A biopsy gives us the information needed to make the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
Why Would I Need a Biopsy?
Your dentist, physician, or specialist may recommend a biopsy if they see an area that cannot be fully diagnosed by appearance alone.
A biopsy may be recommended for:
- A sore or ulcer that does not heal
- A lump, bump, or growth in the mouth
- A white, red, or dark patch
- Thickened or unusual gum tissue
- A lesion on the tongue, cheek, lip, palate, or floor of the mouth
- A cyst or growth in the jawbone
- A suspicious area seen on an x-ray or CBCT scan
- Tissue around an impacted tooth
- An area of bone loss or jaw swelling
- A recurring or unexplained area of pain, drainage, or inflammation
Many oral changes are harmless or inflammatory, but some require treatment or monitoring. A biopsy helps determine exactly what is going on.
Does Needing a Biopsy Mean It Is Cancer?
No. Most oral biopsies do not turn out to be cancer.
There are many reasons a person may need a biopsy, including irritation, infection, cysts, benign growths, autoimmune conditions, inflammation, or changes related to trauma from biting or rubbing.
That said, the reason to perform a biopsy is that we cannot always know the diagnosis just by looking at the area. If something looks unusual, is changing, or is not healing as expected, it is better to get a clear answer rather than continue to watch it without knowing what it is.
Our goal is to give you accurate information, reduce uncertainty, and help guide the next step..
Soft Tissue Biopsy
A soft tissue biopsy involves tissue from the lining of the mouth.
This may include the:
- Gums
- Tongue
- Cheek
- Lips
- Palate
- Floor of the mouth
- Tissue around teeth or implants
Soft tissue biopsies are often performed for spots, ulcers, patches, bumps, or areas of tissue change.
The procedure is usually straightforward. First, the area is made completely numb. A small piece of tissue, or sometimes the entire area, is gently removed. Stitches may be placed depending on the size and location of the biopsy.
The tissue is then sent to the pathology lab for diagnosis.
Hard Tissue and Bone Biopsy
A hard tissue or bone biopsy involves an area within the jawbone.
This may be recommended when an x-ray or CBCT (Cone Beam CT) scan shows a cyst, bony lesion, unexplained bone change, area of jaw expansion, or pathology associated with a tooth.
Bone biopsies are usually planned with imaging so we can understand the size, location, and relationship of the area to nearby teeth, nerves, sinuses, and other structures.
During the procedure, the area is made numb, and the gum tissue may be gently opened to access the bone. A sample of the lesion or abnormal bone is removed and sent to the pathology lab. In some cases, the entire cyst or lesion may be removed at the same time.
The exact approach depends on the size, location, and appearance of the finding.
How We Evaluate the Area Before Biopsy
Evaluation starts with a careful examination and review of your history. We will ask how long the area has been present, whether it has changed, whether it is painful, and whether there has been bleeding, drainage, swelling, trauma, or irritation.
For soft tissue lesions, we examine the location, color, texture, size, and appearance of the tissue.
For jawbone lesions, we review x-rays and may recommend a CBCT (Cone Beam CT) scan, which is a 3D dental scan that helps us evaluate the area more precisely.
This planning helps us determine the safest and most appropriate way to perform the biopsy.
What Happens During the Biopsy Procedure?
Biopsies are performed in our comfortable oral surgery office in Woodmere, NY.
First, we make sure you are completely comfortable. Many biopsies can be performed with local anesthesia alone. Depending on the location of the biopsy, the extent of the procedure, your medical history, and your comfort level, laughing gas or IV sedation may also be an option.
Once the area is numb, the biopsy is performed carefully and the sample is preserved for the pathology lab. If needed, stitches are placed to help the area heal.
Most biopsy procedures are completed efficiently, and patients are able to go home shortly afterward with written post-operative instructions.
What is recovery like?
Recovery depends on the location and size of the biopsy.
For many soft tissue biopsies, recovery is usually mild and manageable. The area may feel sore, tender, or irritated for several days. If stitches are placed, they may dissolve on their own or be removed at a follow-up visit.
Bone biopsies may involve more soreness or swelling depending on the size and depth of the area being treated.
After a biopsy, we may recommend:
- Soft foods for the first few days
- Avoiding spicy, sharp, crunchy, or very hot foods
- Avoiding trauma to the biopsy site
- Using warm salt water rinses when instructed
- Keeping the area clean
- Taking medications exactly as prescribed
- Avoiding smoking or vaping
- Calling us if pain, swelling, bleeding, drainage, or fever worsens
We will give you instructions specific to your biopsy site and procedure.
When will I get the results?
Biopsy results usually take time because the tissue must be processed and reviewed by a pathologist.
Once the pathology report is available, we will review the results and explain what they mean in plain English. Sometimes the result confirms that no further treatment is needed. Other times, additional treatment, monitoring, referral, or follow-up may be recommended.
We understand that waiting for results can be stressful, and we do our best to keep the process clear and organized.
What happens after the biopsy?
The next step depends on the diagnosis.
Some biopsy results require no additional treatment other than routine healing and observation. Others may require removal of additional tissue, treatment of an infection or inflammatory condition, monitoring over time, or coordination with another specialist.
If the biopsy involves a cyst or lesion in the jaw, additional imaging or treatment may be needed depending on the diagnosis and size of the area.
We will explain your result, answer your questions, and help guide you through the next step.
Why choose Schiffman Oral Surgery?
Oral biopsy requires careful evaluation, precise technique, and clear communication. It is important that the sample is taken properly, handled correctly, and sent for appropriate pathology review.
At Schiffman Oral Surgery, Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman have extensive experience evaluating oral lesions, jaw cysts, and other abnormal findings in the mouth and jaws.
We understand that being told you need a biopsy can feel scary. Our approach is calm, thorough, and straightforward. We will explain what we see, why a biopsy may be recommended, what the procedure involves, and what to expect afterward.
Our goal is to help you get a clear diagnosis and a clear plan.
Schedule a Consultation
If your dentist, physician, or specialist has recommended an oral biopsy, or if you have a sore, lump, patch, cyst, or unusual area in the mouth that needs evaluation, call 516-569-1111 to schedule a consultation. You will be examined in our state of the art private office in Woodmere, NY and a custom, personalized treatment plan will be tailored to suit your specific desires and needs.
Dr. Leonard Schiffman and Dr. Michael Schiffman offer oral surgery services to the Five Towns in Long Island, New York and surrounding towns on the South Shore of Nassau County including Woodmere NY • Hewlett NY • Cedarhurst NY • Valley Stream NY • Woodsburgh NY • Lawrence NY • Inwood NY • Far Rockaway NY • Lynbrook NY • Oceanside NY • Rockville Centre NY