Continue

Oral Pathology & Oral Cancer in Bergen County

While members of the dental profession are generally focused on teeth there are issues in other parts of the mouth that they are also interested in. One medical problem that our Ramapo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery practice is very concerned about is oral cancer. Our best oral surgeon in Bergen County practice provides oral cancer screening. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, about 42,000 people are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer each year. To make matters worse, the mortality rate from oral cancer is high because the cancer often goes undetected until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Of all the medical professionals dentists are in the best position to conduct oral cancer screenings during their regular examinations.

While generally part of a regular dental exam patients should also have an oral cancer screening our best oral surgeon in Bergen County recommends a special screening if the patient has any of the following symptoms: a persistent mouth sore that will not heal is the most common symptom of oral cancer, persistent mouth pain, lump or thickening in the cheek, white or red patches on the cheek, gums or lining of the mouth, sore throat feeling, difficulty chewing or swallowing, lump in the throat, difficulty moving the tongue or jaw, swelling of the jaw, numbness of the tongue, lump in the neck, jaw pain, change of voice, and bad breath that doesn’t go away. If you have any of these symptoms don’t wait for your next regular dental exam come into our office and let one of doctors check you out. In the case of oral cancer the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the higher the success rate.

If there is a suspicious growth or lesion our best oral surgeon in Bergen County will remove it if it can be easily done or take a biopsy of the area, either of which will be sent to the lab for testing. Should the lab tests turn out positive our doctor will perform surgery and totally remove the cancer even if it is in the bone, which may require follow-up reconstruction. Should it become necessary our doctor will work closely with an oncologist or other appropriate medical professional on follow-up care. Come into our office if you have any of the above symptoms or for a routine examination.