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 Alan from Califon, and I came for an extraction. When I walked into this practice, they made me feel so comfortable. They are really good people. They are very friendly. My doctor is one of the best doctors I have ever hoped for. Not just the expertise, he's a good human being. He's knowledgeable and he cares genuinely. The procedure went perfectly, and the recovery was very quick. I feel much better. It's just such a big difference. My overall experience has been very positive. To all my friends and family in Princeton Hillbar, I highly recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"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 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'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 Gen from Normandy Beach. I came to West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Surgery for dental implants. How I felt when I first walked into this practice was a sense of trust. I had a lot of trust in the doctors and their capabilities. My overall experience has been great. I got a call after the procedure was done to make sure that things were going well and I had an easy recovery. I'm always impressed with how my implant is so rock solid. It's so important to have a healthy smile. It gives you a lot of confidence. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Izumi from Flemington. I came to this practice for an implant. People here are very welcoming and make me feel at ease. My doctor, from the beginning, he was very calm and able to answer any questions that I had. My procedure was quite easy. It was much better than what I expected. Having a healthy smile is very important for my professional life. My overall experience is great. Way more than what I expected. Everything went smooth. I felt really great about all the procedures that I went through here. I definitely recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi, I'm Jacob from Holland Township, and I came to West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, the people here gave off a wonderful, welcoming vibe. They're friendly, and they knew exactly what they were doing. My doctor was great, and I knew I was in great hands. They gave me all the information that I needed, and I felt completely comfortable. The procedure went fantastic. The recovery went well, too. Having a healthy smile means everything; it's very important. Overall, my experience with this practice was amazing. They really took care of me, and I knew I was in safe hands. I would recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. They did a professional and wonderful job."
"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."
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.