What Is Oral Pathology?
Oral pathology involves the diagnosis and evaluation of abnormal tissue in the mouth, jaw, and face. This includes screening for oral cancer and investigating growths, ulcers, persistent swelling, white or red patches, and other signs that something may not be healing normally. Some conditions turn out to be minor and easily treated. Others may indicate the early stages of something more serious, such as oral cancer. Early detection allows Dr. Justin L. Drab and our team at The Oral Surgery Center to act quickly and early, when treatment is most effective. We perform thorough screenings during surgical evaluations and also see patients around Greensboro, NC whose dentists have referred them to us for further examination. Using years of experience and the latest diagnostic 3D imaging tools, we can provide clarity about what is happening in your mouth and discuss the next steps based on what we find.
How Does an Oral Cancer Screening Work?
We'll start your visit with a detailed history and conversation about your oral health and any changes you've noticed. We then perform a visual and manual exam of your mouth, jaw, and neck, looking for areas that appear unusual in color, texture, shape, or response to touch. If an area requires closer evaluation, we may recommend imaging or a biopsy, which involves removing a small piece of tissue and sending it to an oral pathology lab for analysis. Based on the findings of your exam, we'll either recommend no further treatment, schedule additional care, or coordinate with your medical team for next steps. Even if we don't find any specific concerns, we may recommend that you return for regular follow-up exams, especially if you are at risk of oral cancer.
What Are the Benefits of Oral Cancer Screenings?
Changes in the mouth can be easy to overlook, but when something unusual shows up and doesn't go away, the best thing to do is have it examined by a professional. Our team at The Oral Surgery Center will help you identify those changes and determine whether they need further attention, monitoring, or treatment. The benefits of this service include:
- Helps you understand changes in your mouth
- Detects early signs of cancer or other serious conditions when they are easiest to treat
- Distinguishes harmless issues from those that need attention
- Provides clear answers about your oral health
The Oral Surgery Center Reviews
My second child to have wisdom teeth removal here. So fast and efficient… I refer them to all our friends. We love Dr. Drab.
The staff is so caring and made sure I was comfortable throughout the whole procedure. I have quite the extensive dental history but I wasn’t nervous at all.
Staff was very kind and made us feel very at ease. My daughter had a hard time just because of the meds, but the staff was very patient and caring.
Outstanding and pain-free!
Dr. Drab, accompanying nurses, and all other employees associated with the Oral Surgery Center, were friendly, caring, informative, and efficient. I would highly rate their services. A note to future patients, make sure you read through all papers they provide, throughly.
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Get Answers for Your Oral Health Questions
When something in your mouth doesn't look or feel right, it is important to know what you are dealing with. Oral pathology exams help uncover what is happening beneath the surface and give you a clear path forward. Dr. Drab offers careful, compassionate evaluation for patients at The Oral Surgery Center, helping individuals across Greensboro, NC take the next step with confidence. If you have concerns about a sore, lump, or persistent change in your oral health, schedule a screening today and let us help you understand what comes next.