Oral Pathology
Dr. Sabbagh has many years experience treating and diagnosing oral lesions and oral pathology. The extensive training of Dr. Sabbagh includes dental school at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and medical school and residency at University of Pennsylvania. It is very important for your oral surgeon to be well versed in oral lesions of all kinds. White patches in the mouth or tongue sores that do not heal are of concern and need to be evaluated promptly. Perhaps your family dentist has advised you to seek out an oral surgeon for a mouth biopsy or thorough oral examination.
What is Oral Pathology?
Oral pathology is abnormal finding in the oral cavity including the lips and around the mouth. It includes mouth sores, white patches in the mouth, red patches in the mouth, white tongue patches, tongue sores, tongue pimples, mouth blisters and salivary gland problems.
Why are mouth sores bad?
All mouth sores are not serious. However it is important to have them diagnosed by an oral surgeon. Benign mouth sores can be treated with medication if they are recurring and painful. Cold sores are mouth sores that blister and can come and go depending on your immune system. Mouth sores that come and go on the gums, cheeks and lips can be herpes simplex 1. These contagious mouth sores can be controlled with anti viral medication. Call the office of Dr. Sabbagh at Sabbagh Oral Surgery and tell Dr. Sabbagh if you have any of these symptoms. Most dental insurances cover oral pathology visits. Mouth sores are bad if ignored. Do not neglect a mouth sore especially if it does not hurt. Painless mouth ulcerations could be mouth cancer. The earlier mouth cancer is diagnosed the better are the chances of a favorable outcome.
White Spots in the Mouth
All mouth sores are not serious. However it is important to have them diagnosed by an oral surgeon. Benign mouth sores can be treated with medication if they are recurring and painful. Cold sores are mouth sores that blister and can come and go depending on your immune system. Mouth sores that come and go on the gums, cheeks and lips can be herpes simplex 1. These contagious mouth sores can be controlled with anti viral medication. Call the office of Dr. Sabbagh at Sabbagh Oral Surgery and tell Dr. Sabbagh if you have any of these symptoms. Most dental insurances cover oral pathology visits. Mouth sores are bad if ignored. Do not neglect a mouth sore especially if it does not hurt. Painless mouth ulcerations could be mouth cancer. The earlier mouth cancer is diagnosed the better are the chances of a favorable outcome.
White Spots in the Mouth
Mouth white spots can be of many etiologies. Irritation from an ill fitting denture can cause white spots in the mouth. These white spots should be evaluated. If the white patch in the mouth is from a denture, the denture may need to be relined. Dr. Sabbagh can refer you to your family dentist. If the white spot in the mouth does not go away after the denture is adjusted, Dr. Sabbagh may recommend a biopsy of the mouth. Talk to Dr. Sabbagh about your concerns if you need a biopsy. If you request, Dr. Sabbagh can perform the mouth biopsy under IV anesthesia for your comfort. Dr. Sabbagh is an in network provider for many dental insurances. Let her friendly and knowledgable insurance coordinator help you verify and pre-authorize your insurance. Call today for an appointment 253-833-9066 or 253-839-5721. Dr. Sabbagh of Sabbagh Oral Surgery is conveniently located in Federal Way, WA serving Enumclaw, Auburn, Sumner, Bonney Lake and Issaquah.
Mouth Bumps and Lumps
Any strange bump in the mouth or cheek could be a mouth infection, jawbone cyst, or jaw tumor. Tumors in the mouth can come from the jawbone or salivary glands. It is important not to ignore any gradually enlarging bump or swelling in the mouth. The mouth bump could be an infection from a tooth or a jawbone cyst. Cysts in the maxilla or mandible usually are related to impacted teeth or tooth remnants from the developing tooth bud. These mouth lesions can go unnoticed for several years until they start to spread teeth or cause tooth spaces. Occasionally, the cyst may drain into the mouth and become infected. If you feel you have any of these symptoms, call the office of Dr. Sabbagh and our friendly and knowledgable staff will schedule an appointment. Remember Dr. Sabbagh of Sabbagh Oral Surgery is in network for several insurances. Let us help you with your insurance questions. Insurances can be confusing and in order to get the most from your dental insurance you need to see an Oral Surgeon that is an in network provider. Dr. Sabbagh is in network for several dental insurances including Washington Dental Services (WDS), Delta Dental, Cigna, Met Life, and Aetna.
Does a mouth biopsy hurt?
A biopsy of a mouth lesion, gum sore, or jawbone lesion is performed either under local anesthesia only or in combination with IV anesthesia. The oral surgeon is the only dental specialty that has formal training in IV anesthesia. Dr. Sabbagh has extended training in the administration and monitoring of IV anesthesia. Dr. Sabbagh is a Diplomate and Fellow of the National Society of Dental Anesthesiology. Her staff consists of highly trained surgical assistants. The type of anesthesia and the level of sedation will be discussed at the time of your consultation with Dr. Sabbagh. The consultation will be thorough. Dr. Sabbagh may recommend radiographs or additional tests. Dr. Sabbagh is not only a dentist but she is also a physician. Her billing coordinator will make every effort to review your medical and dental insurance to pre authorize your treatment plan and review your benefits.
Tobacco alcohol and mouth cancer
Tobacco chew or smokeless tobacco, alcohol and cigarettes have been shown to increase your chances of oral cancer. Any white lesion or painless white patch in your mouth on the lining of your cheek must be evaluated especially if you use smokeless tobacco or combine cigarettes with alcohol. If your family dentist recommends a visit to your oral surgeon, it is imperative to make an appointment rather than postpone an evaluation for a white patch in the mouth. Dysplasia or abnormal cells in a biopsy specimen clinically looks similar to a benign white patch in the mouth. For this reason, it can not be assumed that if there is a white patch in the mouth it will be normal. Your general dentist or physician may refer you to Dr. Sabbagh for an evaluation.
What is a Jawbone Cyst?
A cyst in the jawbone is a slow growing lesion that usually is derived from a tooth structure or impacted tooth. When a wisdom tooth or impacted tooth is not extracted for several years the follicle or sac surrounding the impacted tooth can develop into a slow growing mass that can expand in the jawbone and eventually break through the bone causing drainage into the mouth. The cyst can become infected and displace your teeth. The jawbone cyst may not hurt until it becomes infected. If you feel you may have a bump in your mouth that is growing or that is painful, call Dr. Sabbagh at Sabbagh Oral Surgery and make an appointment for a consultation.