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ORAL MEDICINE

Oral Medicine is the branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, salivary glands, oral mucosa, and surrounding tissues.

Many conditions that develop in the mouth can be linked to underlying medical disorders, medications, immune system diseases, infections, or lifestyle factors. Oral Medicine sits at the intersection of dentistry and medicine and focuses on identifying the cause of these conditions and providing appropriate treatment or referral when necessary.

Any ulcer, lump, swelling, discoloured area, or lesion that does not heal within two weeks should be professionally assessed.

Conditions We Diagnose and Manage

We evaluate and manage a wide range of oral soft tissue lesions and oral mucosal diseases, including:

Ulcers and Inflammatory Conditions

Recurrent aphthous ulcers (canker sores)
Traumatic ulcers
Oral lichen planus
Geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis)
Angular cheilitis
Burning mouth symptoms

Viral and Infectious Conditions

Herpes simplex virus infections (cold sores)
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (Vincent's infection or trench mouth)

Benign Oral Growths and Lesions

Irritation fibroma
Mucocele
Squamous papilloma
Pyogenic granuloma
Reactive soft tissue enlargements

Tobacco and Medication-Related Conditions

Nicotine stomatitis
Drug-induced gingival enlargement (gingival hyperplasia)
Oral changes associated with smoking or vaping

White, Red and Pigmented Lesions

Leukoplakia
Erythroplakia
Oral pigmentation disorders
Other potentially malignant oral lesions

Tongue and Salivary Gland Conditions

Hairy tongue (coated tongue)
Salivary gland disorders
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Salivary gland swellings

Oral Biopsy

A biopsy is a minor surgical procedure performed to obtain a tissue sample for microscopic examination. Biopsies are recommended when an oral lesion, ulcer, swelling, or discoloured area cannot be confidently diagnosed through clinical examination alone or when a lesion has persisted for an extended period. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic and involves minimal discomfort.

Biopsy findings help determine whether a lesion is:

Benign
Inflammatory
Infectious
Autoimmune in nature
Potentially pre-cancerous
Cancerous

Early diagnosis is often critical for successful treatment outcomes.

Excisional Biopsy

An excisional biopsy involves the complete removal of a small lesion or growth. In many cases, this procedure both establishes a diagnosis and provides definitive treatment.

Common lesions suitable for excisional biopsy include:

Fibromas
Mucoceles
Papillomas
Small soft tissue growths
Selected pigmented lesions

The removed tissue is routinely sent to a pathology laboratory for microscopic analysis.

Incisional Biopsy

When a lesion is large or involves a wider area, only a representative portion may be removed for examination. This procedure is known as an incisional biopsy.

The pathology report helps guide further treatment and management decisions.

Incisional biopsies are commonly performed for:

Persistent ulcers
Large white or red lesions
Suspected autoimmune conditions
Lesions where a definitive diagnosis is required before treatment

Incision and Drainage of Oral Infections

Dental and oral infections can sometimes lead to the accumulation of pus within the soft tissues, resulting in swelling, pain, and discomfort.

Incision and drainage is a procedure used to relieve pressure and remove infected material from an abscess.

The procedure may be recommended for:

Gum abscesses
Periodontal abscesses
Soft tissue infections
Localised facial swellings of dental origin

Prompt treatment can help reduce pain, control infection, and prevent the spread of infection to surrounding tissues.

When Should You Seek an Evaluation?

You should arrange an assessment if you experience:

An ulcer that does not heal within two weeks
A lump or swelling inside the mouth
Persistent red or white patches
Unexplained oral pain or burning
Recurrent mouth ulcers
Persistent dry mouth
Changes in the appearance of the tongue, gums, or oral tissues

Early diagnosis often leads to simpler treatment and better long-term outcomes.

Specialist Assessment and Care

We provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring of oral mucosal diseases and soft tissue lesions. Where appropriate, biopsies and minor surgical procedures can be performed in a comfortable outpatient setting under local anaesthetic.

Book an appointment!

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