
What is Oral Pathology?
Oral pathology is a specialty focusing on the causes, diagnoses, effects and treatments of diseases in and around the mouth (teeth, gums, bones, joints, glands, skin, and muscles), both malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous). Among other conditions, oral pathology studies fungal infections, oral lesions (including cold sores), oral ulcers, cleft palates and oral cancer. At CT Implant & Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons are dedicated to restoring every part of your mouth. That’s why we educate our patients on the importance or Oral Cancer and diseases of the mouth. Treating the underlying conditions can help save your teeth in the long run.
What Are Some Common Disorders/Diseases We Specialize In?
Cleft palate or cleft lip
A cleft palate develops when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth is unable to join completely during pregnancy. Some babies experience only the split in the inner portion of their mouth while others experience a split in their mouth and throughout their lip.
Oral ulcers (canker sores)
Mouth ulcers are normally small, painful lesions that develop in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Mouth ulcers affect eating, drinking, and make talking uncomfortable. Mouth ulcers are not considered contagious and will usually go away within one to two weeks with proper self-treatment. However, develop a fever during this time or if you get a canker sore that is large or extremely painful, or if it lasts for a long time without healing, you should schedule an appointment with our dentist to ensure no further treatment is needed.
Geographic tongue
An inflammatory but harmless condition in which the surface of the tongue is typically covered with pinkish-white bumps (papillae), which are actually tiny hairlike projections. Patches on the surface of the tongue can be missing papillae and appear as smooth red "islands," often with slightly raised borders.
Black Hairy Tongue
Dead skin cells collect on the papillae (small bumps formed by mucous membrane cells that make up the tongue's surface), which makes them longer than their normal length, causing your tongue to look like it is growing black hair. Signs may include a change in taste, bad breath, or a tickling or gagging sensation. The condition is harmless, and easily remedied by eliminating possible contributing factors (like smoking) and practicing good oral hygiene.
Catching Oral Cancer Early Is Key!

Oral Cancer
- Lumps or rough patches
- White or red spots
- Canker sores
- Change of color in mouth
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Change in the way the teeth fit together

Oral Cancer Screenings
- Are over the age of 40
- Smoke
- Consume excess amounts of alcohol
- Have a history of oral cancer
- Have an oral HPV infection

Treating Oral Cancer
When a growth or sore of a questionable nature is detected in the mouth, a biopsy is often required. A biopsy is a diagnostic test involving the removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope. This test is used to identify abnormal cells and screen for cancer and other issues.
There are two different forms of biopsy in which our team at CT Implant & Oral Surgery will do. Incisional oral biopsy in which a part of a larger suspicious mass is removed to be sampled and screened. This will be used to determine if the mass is malignant or benign. An excisional oral biopsy is where the entire suspicious mass is removed to be sampled and screened. Excisional biopsies are usually performed when the lump is small. Once the biopsy results have come back, our team will determine the next steps of treatment.
Receive the care you need in Norwich & Branford, CT!
Contact our team at CT Implant & Oral Surgery today!