A soft tissue lesion is a wound or tear in the skin or other tissues of the body. When it occurs in the mouth, it could be a minor injury or a benign sore, but it might also indicate the presence of oral cancer, which needs to be detected and treated quickly by an oral surgeon to provide the best chance of recovery. Below you’ll find an overview of how these specialists will help you. 

What to Know About Oral Soft Tissue Lesions

What Your Dentist Will Do

When you come to a dentist or specialist with a lesion in your mouth, they may choose to observe it for a while, no more than a couple of weeks, to see if it resolves on its own. Most benign lesions will heal without interventions. They may examine your lymph nodes, ask you about your prior medical history and lifestyle, and ask if you if the lesion has changed in size, shape, or color. 

What Your Oral Surgeon Will Do

If the wound doesn't heal, however, or if your dental professional sees other reasons to worry, they may recommend that an oral surgeon remove the lesion entirely and perform a pathology analysis – what’s known as an excisional biopsy – meaning they’ll test the tissue they remove to find the cause of the problem. If the lesion is cancerous or shows other cause for concern, you'll receive further treatment and monitoring to protect your health. 

When to Visit a Professional

Most of the mouth injuries and infections you'll experience, such as canker sores, are harmless and don't need the attention of an oral surgeon. You should have a sore evaluated if it doesn't heal on its own in a few days, or it occurs in an unusual location, like under the tongue. You should also see a dentist if the sore is not attributable to an identifiable cause, such as accidentally biting your tongue. 

If you need an oral surgeon, choose Dennis S. Gianoli DDS, PC in Berlin, CT. Serving Hartford County since 1977, Dr. Gianoli provides reliable care in a friendly environment where the patient's needs are put first. Whether you need a tissue biopsy or are getting your wisdom teeth removed, their knowledgeable team and modern equipment will provide quality results. To schedule, call (860) 828-3559 or learn more online.