Oral Pathology Services Provided at Our Surgical Center
Protect and Maintain Your Oral Health
Pathologic lesions of the oral cavity can involve the hard or soft tissues. To help protect and maintain your oral health, our board-certified oral surgeons can provide oral pathology services in-office. Hard tissue pathology includes alterations in the teeth or bone. Soft tissue pathology typically present as ulcers, patches, changes in color, or bumps of the gums, lips, cheek, tongue, or salivary glands. Not all changes in oral cavity infer a diagnosis of cancer, but these changes should be evaluated in a timely fashion, as it has been shown that early diagnosis of head and neck cancer provides a significantly better prognosis. Performing regular self-examination is recommended to help in early detection. When performing self-examination, one should look for these signs:
- White or red patches
- Sores that do not heal
- Tissue that bleeds easily or is friable
- Bumps or thickening of tissues
Hard tissues lesions are those found within the jawbones and are most commonly cysts or tumors associated with the development or eruption of impacted teeth. Most of these lesions are identified by radiographs, but some may present with symptoms. Such symptoms may include:
- Swelling of the jaw
- Mobility of the teeth
- Displacement of teeth
- Unexplained numbness of the upper lip, lower lip, chin, cheek, or tongue
Oral Pathology Services
Biopsy of Oral Lessions
Soft and hard tissue lesions can be biopsied by our office, and then evaluated by an oral pathologist. Most biopsies can be performed in the office, removing either the entire lesion or a representative sample. All biopsies performed at our office are evaluated by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist at The University of Tennessee Medical center. A diagnosis from the oral pathologist is usually available within one week of the biopsy and allows us to formulate the most appropriate treatment for your condition. Treatments may range from observation to medications to further surgery.
Excision of Cysts and Tumors
The oral/head and neck region is well known for developing cysts, tumors, and other lesions that require surgical management. If your dentist is concerned about a possible pathological process, you can be referred to our office for a consultation to discuss treatment options specific to your situation.
Coordinated Care for Your Needs
We will discuss all of your options, explain the pros and cons of each service and treatment, and recommend the most appropriate option for your specific problem.
Contact our practice online or reach out at (865) 240-2977 to learn more about our in-office oral pathology services and procedures.
Testimonials From Our Patients
We are proud to be able to provide our patients with access to first-rate surgical care, cutting-edge procedures, and an overall outstanding experience.
Dr. Emery did a fantastic job in providing tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant. I had been anxious and he relieved my concerns immediately. He and his team provided a relatively pain-free experience and were available to answer all my questions quickly and professionally. I was so pleased with them that I took my daughter to Dr. Emery for her wisdom teeth extraction. We were both surprised at how well her pain had been managed and she never had to use opioids! If we need oral surgery again, we know where to go! Thank you, Dr. Emery, Dawn, Amanda, Meghan, Hannah, Wendy, and all the others!
- Lea Alexander
Painless procedures and quick recoveries. Couldn’t be more pleased. Highly recommend these oral surgeons.
- Robin Hutchins
Dr. Emery and his staff are so amazing. They really go the extra mile to make you comfortable and Dr. Emery’s bedside manner is like none I’ve ever seen before! He’s one of those doctors you hope you don’t have to go back to, but will be the ONLY one I do go to if it’s ever needed again. My only complaint is that he’s not in general dentistry because i wouldn’t be so terrified to go to a dentist if it was him. Great guy, great staff, great atmosphere!
- Allison Fritz
Awesome Staff, Excellent Doctors, Great Prices! Turned a ‘bad day’ into great experience! Been there twice- almost 2 years apart. Rock solid and highly recommended!
- Max Zimmerman
- Kenny Miller
- Kari Hester
Our Office Locations
We have two office locations in Knoxville, TN.
West Knoxville Location
6207 Highland Pl Way, Ste 207
Knoxville, TN 37919
Directions
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 584-6207
North Knoxville Location
2939 Essary Dr, Ste 1
Knoxville, TN 37918
Directions
Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 240-2977