Oral Pathology in Encino, CA

Diagnosing and Treating Oral Health Conditions

The appearance of your intraoral tissues can reveal a lot about your oral health. Healthy soft tissues are smooth and pink. However, when certain oral health issues develop, changes may occur. While these changes might not seem significant, they can indicate serious complications. At Encino Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide oral pathology services to diagnose changes in your intraoral tissues and deliver effective treatment to restore your oral health.

What Pathological Diseases Can Affect Your Mouth?

Oral pathology helps diagnose a wide range of oral conditions, both benign and malignant. With an accurate diagnosis, we can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Conditions we can diagnose include:

• Canker sores and cold sores
• Halitosis (persistent bad breath)
• Leukoplakia (patches of excess cell growth)
• Oral thrush (a yeast infection causing white patches on intraoral tissues)
• Hairy tongue
• Geographic tongue
• Dry mouth due to salivary gland issues
• Cysts, such as median palatal cysts
• Oral cancer (the most serious pathological condition, which can be fatal without early diagnosis and treatment)
  

How Are Pathological Diseases Diagnosed?

If you notice an abnormality or unusual growth in your mouth, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment promptly. Early diagnosis allows for easier and more effective treatment.

To diagnose pathological diseases, we perform a thorough oral exam, which may include:

• Visual Examination: A detailed inspection of your mouth for abnormalities.
• Imaging: X-rays or 3D CT scans to identify underlying issues.
• Soft Tissue Biopsy: The removal of a small portion of tissue from the affected area for cellular-level examination, especially useful for diagnosing or ruling out oral cancer.

Once we diagnose the condition, we create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Treatment Options for Pathological Diseases

Treatment depends on the diagnosis and severity of the condition. Common treatments include:

• Antibiotics: Oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed to fight infections.
• Prescription Mouthwash: For conditions caused by poor oral hygiene, a prescription mouthwash may be recommended alongside improved hygiene practices.
• Surgery: Oral surgery may be necessary to remove benign or malignant growths. Early removal of cancerous growths can prevent the spread of cancer and restore oral health. If surgery is insufficient to stop cancer progression, further treatment may be needed.