Periodontal Disorders

Oral Pathology

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:

• Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
• A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

Vizilite is a new technology that we use in our office to detect oral cancer and other pathology in the early stage. The patient rinses with a solution that glows in the dark under a special light to reveal suspicious looking tissues. This allows us to catch abnormal growths in the earliest stages when they are easy to treat and the cure rate is highest. We recommend a Vizilite exam once a year administered by your hygienist for patients over 40 and in smokers over the age of 30. This painless test has saved many lives, as the prognosis for oral cancer is only 50% after 5 years.