Oral Pathology in Princeton and Flemington, NJ
The Importance of Early Detection
The inside of your mouth is lined with a special type of skin called mucosa, which is normally smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration to this appearance could be a sign of a pathological process. While the vast majority of oral conditions are benign, an expert evaluation of any suspicious lump, sore, or discoloration is the most important step for your peace of mind and long-term health. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of oral pathology.
What to Look For: Performing a Self-Examination
We recommend that you perform a self-examination of your mouth once a month. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment for a professional evaluation.
- Reddish patches (erythroplakia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) inside the mouth.
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily.
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth.
- A chronic sore throat or persistent hoarseness.
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
The Diagnostic Process
Your appointment will begin with a thorough clinical examination of your mouth, head, and neck. If an abnormal area is identified, a biopsy is often the next step to secure a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy is a simple and safe procedure where a small sample of the suspicious tissue is removed, typically in our office under local anesthesia for your complete comfort. This tissue sample is then sent to a specialized laboratory to be examined by a pathologist. Once we receive the results, your surgeon will discuss the diagnosis with you and create a personalized treatment plan.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Oral Pathology and other procedures.
"Hi, I'm Adam, and I'm from Lambertville, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for wisdom teeth removal and a gum graft. The staff was bubbly, energetic, and there to support you. The doctors here are absolutely amazing. They make you feel comfortable, always there to answer questions. Great bedside manners. My procedure went great for both of them. It was probably a day or two recovery, and I was back in action. My quality of life has definitely improved when I have a good smile, makes me more confident meeting other people. Overall experience here was great. I would a hundred percent recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Bill from Flemington, and I came to West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for several extractions and dental implants. When I first came into the practice, it felt very welcoming, warm—people were very friendly. The staff here, very professional. The doctor was very empathetic, fully explained what was gonna happen, and during the procedures, actually kept me up to date on what he was doing. The procedures I had done, the extractions as well as the implants, went extremely well. My experience was nurturing, caring. To all my friends in Somerset County, Flemington, and Somerville, I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I am Bill. I'm from Fort Good River and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for a dental implant. When I first walked into the practice, I was greeted very warmly. Everyone was very nice to me. The staff was very attentive, and my doctor was very informative, went over everything that he was going to do, made sure that I didn't have any questions, and that I was very comfortable. My procedure went very well. My quality of life has improved because I can actually chew as if it was my original tooth. My overall experience was very good. I would absolutely recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to anyone who is really interested in having a good outcome."
"Hi, I'm Gabby from Califon and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I felt super at ease. There were lots of smiles and friendly faces. It was a great place to be. My doctor was super nice, and when he walked in the room, he introduced himself with the biggest smile on his face, and he told me about the procedure and just really put me at ease. The procedure went so well, and the recovery was easy and smooth. I'm so happy to have a healthy smile. To all my friends and family in Somerset County, Flemington and Somerville. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Jimmy from Lebanon Township and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I felt at home. Everybody was welcoming, greeted me with smiles and good customer service. Everybody was charismatic and caring. My doctor was very professional, super friendly, and put me at ease before my procedure and answered any questions I had brought to him. My procedure went well. I had practically no time between me finishing my procedure and when I was able to get back to work. Having a healthy smile is really important to me. Out of five stars, I would rate this practice five stars. I would highly recommend people to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Kait from Madison, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for an implant. When I first walked in, I just felt incredibly welcome and at ease. The staff was really accommodating. My doctor is incredibly kind, very open-minded, and empathetic. My procedures went very well. After the procedures, I am very happy. I feel a lot more confident about my smile and ultimately just feel really happy that I have a care team that I know I can rely on. I would happily recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to friends, family that just really put you at the front as the patient, and it's an excellent experience."
"Hi, I'm Karen from Readington. I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for a dental implant. When I first walked into the practice, I felt very comfortable. Everybody was welcoming, and they reassured me that everything was going to be fine. My doctor was very good. He explained everything to me, the procedure that was going to be done. He also just made sure I was comfortable. My procedure went very well. The overall experience of this practice was fantastic. It was very important to me to have a healthy smile. I would highly recommend this practice to anybody."
"Hi, I'm Lianna from Lambertville, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for an extraction, bone graft, and dental implant. The staff is extremely friendly and comforting and made me feel at ease. My doctor was extremely careful and caring. He was very gentle and made sure that I was feeling comfortable. My procedures went very well, and recovery was very smooth. My overall experience with this practice was extremely positive. I would absolutely recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery. I felt very welcomed and comfortable going into the multiple surgeries that I was going to have."
"Hi. I am Luke from Phillipsburg, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for an extraction. The doctors here were great. They made me feel comfortable. They were easy to talk to, they're real friendly. My procedure went great. It was quick. It was easy, and the recovery was simple. My overall experience here was fantastic. To all my friends and family in Somerset County, Flemington and Somerville. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a biopsy mean I have cancer?
Not at all. The vast majority of oral lesions and pathologies are benign (non-cancerous). A biopsy is simply a safe and effective diagnostic tool used to identify the exact nature of an abnormality to ensure you receive the correct treatment.
Is the biopsy procedure painful?
No. Biopsies are typically performed in our office using local anesthesia to completely numb the area, so you will not feel any pain. For more extensive biopsies or for anxious patients, sedation options are also available to ensure your comfort.
How often should I check my mouth?
We recommend performing a thorough self-examination once a month. This simple check allows you to become familiar with the normal appearance of your mouth and to more easily spot any changes that may occur.
Why See an Oral Surgeon for Oral Pathology?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete years of intensive, hospital-based training after dental school. This specialized education provides them with an unmatched expertise in diagnosing and surgically managing the full range of diseases that affect the mouth, jaws, and surrounding structures. From simple benign growths to more complex conditions, they are the premier specialists for treating oral pathology.