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Soft tissue surgery, including biopsy of tumors, cysts, and other lesions, enables Drs. Allan Libunao and Richard Kim to detect dangerous oral conditions in their most treatable stages. At Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we have advanced instrumentation that identify abnormal tissues at the first signs of development. By catching these oral health problems early on, we can perform more conservative treatment and avoid future health complications. If you have been advised to undergo soft tissue surgery, contact our Bolingbrook office today.

Common Soft Tissue Irregularities

Most people suffer from occasional cold sores and fever blisters. However, if you have chronic oral sores, or if these spots do not clear up over time, they could indicate a more serious condition. At Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we offer diagnosis and treatment of several types of tissue irregularities. These include:

• Lesions: Lesions are mouth sores that do not clear up within three weeks. They can be white or red, or they may have white and red streaks. A lesion does not necessarily signal cancer, but it can be precancerous. For this reason, it is important to have lesions checked out as soon as possible.
• Cysts: Cysts are non-cancerous sacs, often found on the jawbone, salivary glands, or the lining of the mouth. Cysts may be empty or fluid-filled. Although not life threatening, if an untreated cyst continues to grow, it could become infected. Depending on its location, it may also damage the structure of your jaw or cause bite misalignment.
• Tumors: Oral tumors are small bumps inside your mouth or throat. They may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Although most oral growths are benign, it is still important to schedule an examination of any abnormalities.

Oral Health Diagnosis

When you come to our office with a sore or other soft tissue irregularity, we will perform a biopsy. Dr. Libunao or Dr. Kim will remove a small tissue sample and send it to a dental lab for testing. The lab will determine the nature of the growth (lesion, cyst, tumor, etc.), ascertain whether or not it is cancerous, and provide a pathology report.

Soft Tissue Surgery and Treatment

Once we have received your biopsy results, we can formulate a treatment plan. For some patients, we may recommend follow-up appointments at regular intervals to monitor abnormal tissue and determine when treatment is necessary. Others are advised to undergo immediate treatment, such as: 

• Treatment of lesions with oral or topical medication
• Tips to prevent recurring mouth sores
• The removal of cysts and non-cancerous tumors using gentle surgical techniques
• If your biopsy indicates that you have oral cancer, you will be referred to a specialist for treatment

If you are especially anxious about treatment, we offer nitrous oxide and intravenous (IV) sedation, in addition to local anesthesia.

Protect Your Oral Health

Oral sores can be painful and negatively affect your self esteem. More importantly, they can indicate a serious health condition. If you suffer from soft tissue irregularities, be proactive about your health. Schedule a consultation at Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center today.