Diagnosing and Treating Oral Diseases
Oral pathology covers the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, notably oral cancer. At Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center, the process for diagnosing and treating oral diseases will vary from patient to patient depending on their case.
The most important step, however, is to consult with Dr. Ahmed Chaudhry about your condition, to determine your treatment plan. Read on to learn more about oral pathology and when it may be time for you to schedule an appointment.
What Does Oral Pathology Screen For?
Oral pathology is the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases such as:
- Oral cancer
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Tongue diseases
Oral pathology doesn’t just stop at your teeth. It can also include treatments for dysfunctions with the salivary glands, facial muscles, and more. Thanks to our advanced dental technology, our dental team can scan and perform a visual exam on your mouth, jaw, and throat areas to determine your individual needs.
Once the issue has been identified, Dr. Chaudhry will meet with you to discuss the severity of your case and what treatments should be explored. Oral surgery can be used as an option to remedy these issues and save your smile.
What is a Biopsy?
Oftentimes, abnormalities with your oral health can’t be determined at first glance. Dr. Chaudhry can conduct an oral biopsy, which is when samples of lesions are taken for further studying. This can help determine if the lesion is malignant, meaning that it could be ulcerated or affixed to other tissues.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a serious condition that develops when cancer cells begin growing out of control in the mouth, which can include the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, the teeth, the gums, most of the tongue, the bottom of the mouth, and the bony roof of your mouth, or the hard palate.
Early Oral Cancer Detection
Early detection of oral cancer significantly increases a patient’s survival rate. If you notice any sudden and unusual changes in your oral health, contact our Lehigh Valley office at (484) 821-1357 right away for an evaluation.
Some common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Unexplained sores, lumps, or thickened tissue in your mouth and tongue
- Red or white lesions on your tissues
- Lumps or feeling something stuck in your throat
- Trouble opening or closing your jaw or moving your tongue
- Prolonged sore throat
- Difficulty speaking normally or prolonged hoarseness
- Loose teeth
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent oral cancer?
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent oral cancer, there are ways to lower your risk of developing it, such as:
- Consuming foods rich in antioxidants
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Scheduling biannual routine cleanings
- Protecting your lips from UV rays
- Developing an active lifestyle
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
Who is most at risk for oral cancer?
Patients may be at a higher risk for oral cancer if they:
- Frequently use tobacco
- Have a genetic disposition
- Have HPV
- Consume heavy amounts of alcohol
- Have been previously diagnosed with oral cancer
- Have a history of heavy sun exposure
If any of these apply to you, it’s especially important to schedule regular oral cancer screening appointments. Early detection is crucial to your treatment and recovery. Contact our Lehigh Valley office with any questions or concerns and schedule an appointment.
When should you get oral cancer screening?
While it’s ideal that you schedule routine dental exams and cleanings every six months, the frequency of your oral cancer screenings depends on your age and risk factors. Patients over 20 years of age can choose to undergo screenings every three years, while patients over 40 years of age should get screened for oral cancer annually.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Chaudhry
Don’t leave unusual changes in your mouth alone: the sudden appearance of lesions, swelling, and more could be signs of malignant oral diseases that need to be addressed. We believe that your oral health is pivotal. Call our Lehigh Valley office at (484) 821-1357 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment today. If you have recently undergone a biopsy, be sure to adhere to the following post-care instructions from Dr. Chaudhry.
EXCELLENT
289 reviews on
Gabriel Perez
November 12, 2021.
if i could give 10 stars i would . this place eased the pain i carried over 2-3 years at first i was skeptical because my past experiences, however they treated me good with respect.they really took care of me never have i seen a place so courteous. i think everyone in pain should go to this place it was the best for me . i had 7 extractions and they tookme in and i was seen in less than 2 weeks and the teeth were removed in about 20 minutes. they worked at god speed lol. great place. Thank you so much for taking care of me .
Nicole Perez
November 12, 2021.
This place is amazing. The staff are wonderful and very polite. My husband was in pain for years. We went to 2 different oral surgeons and for months they wasted our time. When I called Lehigh valley oral surgery, they listened and made appointments very fast. They even do (out of Network) referrals for insurance. Please if you are in pain and need to be seen this is the place for you. Thank you guys so much for everything you did for my husband.
Lauren O'Brian
November 11, 2021.
Very grateful that I was able to have my dental implant done with Dr. Chaudhry. He and his staff were professional and kind. They were sensitive to my concerns, and answered all of my questions thoroughly. Nicole, the implant coordinator, was especially supportive throughout the process. Thank you for making this experience as pleasant as possible.
Mateopuzzler
October 13, 2021.
Had an issue with my insurance didn't realize they type that I had so the information didn't go through, still saw me they day of my extraction and helped me square away my insurance. They are super friendly nice, and seem to be on top of their game. This place is highly recommended for a reason, this is the place to go.
Dori
October 12, 2021.
My son had 4 wisdom teeth removed. Initially the appointment was for March of 2020. Then the pandemic hit. They refunded my partial payment quickly. Fast forward to September of 2021. Rescheduling was no problem. From the front desk to the doctor and assistants, the staff was friendly and professional. They took new x-rays and found that the procedure was going to be less money! Everything went well. His recovery has been good. He still has some tenderness 3 weeks out. The only complaint I would mention is that we never received a call to check on his recovery. That would have been very nice.
Tami Giglio
September 30, 2021.
This place is great if you need oral surgery. Everyone is so nice and professional. And the facility is very clean. I highly recommend!!
Kristen VanFleet
September 24, 2021.
Had to have an emergency extraction. I was in so much pain and they were able to see me the very next day. The office staff starting with the receptionist was very pleasant courteous and professional. The hygienist was very kind and made sure I was comfortable. Dr Kim was excellent. I was given IV sedation and I’m not sure how I will be able to go back to having dental work without it because it made everything much better. They even sent me home with an ice pack which may seem like a small detail but it was a big help once anesthesia wore off. Choose this practice. You won’t regret it.
April S
September 11, 2021.
I went here a few days ago to get a molar pulled that was chipped and infected. I was completely terrified, so Dr. Farag brought someone in to hold my hand during the numbing shots, and her assistant offered to hold my other hand. She applied plenty of numbing gel, and only two out of all of the injections were painful because she had to inject the gum near the tooth of course, whereas the other shots were just more uncomfortable than anything. The nurses and assistants that held my hand were very sweet, encouraging, and made me chuckle a few times. Dr. Farag talked me through the whole procedure and gave me a break when I needed one. I'll be honest and say it wasn't completely painless, but I don't blame Dr. Farag whatsoever. She tried her best to numb me up, but the tooth was infected and probably couldn't be numbed entirely. Regardless, any pain I felt was probably on a scale of about 3-4, and only happened at certain times during the procedure; it wasn't constant. The pain from the infection felt way worse than anything I felt that day in that chair.
It was over pretty quickly. Her assistant stayed with me afterwards and talked with me until I was calm, since I found myself in a fit of tears after the tooth was pulled. I wasn't in pain afterwards, just really relieved, I think. Dr. Farag seemed to feel genuinely bad at how upset I was, and suggested that I be sedated next time or given anti-anxiety medication if and when I come back to get anything done. She's right, as I would say my own fear was probably the worst part of the experience.
I'm 3 days post-extraction and I feel fine. The bleeding stopped within a few hours when I got home, and the wound seems to be healing well. There is some soreness, a very minimal amount of swelling, and occasional twinges of pain in the area, but that's it.
I would recommended coming here if you need work done. Everyone here is very kind, caring and compassionate. They also honored the fact that I had panoramic x-rays prior, whereas some places will charge you for an x-ray even if you've already had one done.
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