Oral Diagnosis and Biopsies

An oral biopsy is a tissue sample gathered from an abnormality in the mouth and is sent to a lab to undergo further testing. The procedure would be required when a dentist cannot diagnose the problem by examination, X-rays, and symptoms alone.

Common Oral Diseases

There are a variety of oral diseases that the pathologist will test for, including:

  • Oral cancer: Appearing as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away over time, oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard palate, soft palate, sinuses, and throat. Early detection is key for treating this disease, though most patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages.
  • Leukoplakia: Thickened, white patches on your gums, inside your cheeks, the bottom of your mouth, or your tongue.
  • Lichen planus: A chronic inflammatory condition that affects the mucous membranes inside your mouth. Lichen planus appears as white, lacy patches, open sores, or red, swollen tissues. The lesions are accompanied by burning or other discomfort. This condition needs to be closely monitored so that it does not turn into oral cancer.
  • Mucous membrane pemphigoid: An uncommon autoimmune disease that may cause oral lesions of the gums, mucous membranes, tongue, soft palate, or hard palate.
  • Pregnancy tumors: Raised nodules that may or may not be painful.

Other diseases, such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and heart disease, may produce abnormalities inside the mouth.

Types of Oral Biopsies

Depending on the abnormality in your mouth, there are six different ways to perform an oral biopsy:

  • Aspiration: A needle and syringe removes a sample from within the lesion.
  • Brush: Firm pressure is applied on a circular brush while it is rotated to pick up cellular material. The sample is then transferred to a glass slide for observation under a microscope.
  • Excisional: If a lesion appears benign during an oral exam, and is smaller than one centimeter, this type of biopsy removes the entirety of the lesion.
  • Incisonal: For larger lesions, a sample is taken from more than one area.
  • Punch: Using a circular blade attached to a pencil-like handle, the instrument is rotated through the lesion. The biopsy yields a circular bit of tissue that is then sent to the lab for further testing.

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What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort...It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!
    Over the years, Dr. Katz and his team have provided me with an extremely high level of care and personal sensitivity. He has earned my trust."
    Jim Velleco - Marblehead, MA
  • "I have had a lot of dental work done during my life--orthodontia, fillings, crowns, implants, root canals, a bridge--and Dr. Katz is by far the best dentist I've ever seen. In addition to being a superior craftsman with a lot of experience, Dr. Katz is attentive to his patients' needs, always careful to ensure the patient's comfort. His staff, several of whom have been working with him for decades, is likewise excellent. It's a friendly office with impeccable service. They will take good care of you!"
    Sandra Doherty
  • "Awesome Doctor and team - have been going to Dr. Katz's practice for over 20 years and the professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to. Highly recommend them - with a warm smile!!!
    The professionalism, care and attention are superb. They are warm, welcoming, caring and a pleasure to go to."
    Paul Romano
  • "I travel from Woburn to Salem for my dental needs because there is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family. I highly recommend Dr. Katz!
    There is no other dentist that I trust more than Dr. Katz. I am impressed with his professionalism and drive to stay on top of the best dental techniques. He and his team treat my wife and me like family."
    Rob Dealy
  • "It’s not “Cheers” and they don’t serve beer, but it is a place “where everybody knows your name.” They know your family, too. And you know theirs. After 25 years here, for me it’s not just about having clean teeth. It’s about catching up with old friends, sharing what’s going on and caring about each other."
    Eugenia Fountain - Salem, ma
  • "They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover...We recommend them without hesitation.
    If you're looking for top-notch customer service, a welcoming staff, and valuable take-home knowledge, make an appointment with Dr. Katz. My mouth and I have had nothing but positive experiences in his care."
    Mike Briddon - Swampscott, MA
  • "Dr. Katz makes me feel like I'm the most important patient he has. He is calm, relaxed, informative, patient and gentle...I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the people I've sent
    Thank you for over 20 years of compassionate and technically excellent dental care."
    Christine Kowal - Swampscott, MA
  • "We come from Wakefield to see Dr. Katz. He has been our family dentist for the last 10 years and my husbands dentist since he was a kid. Today my very anxious 7 year old had to have a tooth pulled and Dr. Katz did a wonderful job at making him comfortable. My son got through the experience with flying colors and no tantrums. We would highly recommend him as a dentist!"
    Nicole Jennings
  • "My husband and I are long term patients of this practice because of the trust it has earned with us over time. They are thorough, careful and up to date on new techniques. One never feels like a "number" because there is very little staff turnover .....clearly a plus. We recommend them without hesitation!"
    Michelle Genereux

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Hours of Operation

Hours below do not reflect our 'temporary' modified schedule. Please call the office for details.

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

12:00 pm-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed