Oral Pathology in Atlanta
It's natural to wait on a sore in your mouth and hope it fades. When it's still there after two to three weeks, Dr. Okhiria can tell you what it is and what, if anything, comes next.
Dr. Okhiria examines the area, takes a biopsy when it's needed, and walks you through the pathology results.
A sore that hasn't healed deserves a look
Most mouth sores are harmless and heal on their own, so it's natural to wait on one. Dr. Okhiria's rule is simple: once a sore, patch or lump doesn't go away after two to three weeks, have it looked at. "Oral cancer does not always look angry," she says. "It can be very subtle changes." Most spots turn out to be nothing serious, and the ones that aren't are much easier to treat when they're found early.
Small changes worth mentioning
Watch for a sore that won't heal, a white or red patch, a lump or thickened area, or bleeding with no clear cause. Numbness in the tongue or lip, trouble chewing or swallowing, or a denture that suddenly fits differently are also worth mentioning. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists tobacco in any form, heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, sun exposure to the lips and being over 40 as risk factors for oral cancer, so if any of those apply to you, don't wait on a spot that isn't healing.
A quick visit and a clear answer
When a spot needs a closer look, Dr. Okhiria numbs the area and removes a small piece of tissue so a pathology lab can tell what it is, and she talks the results through with you herself. Our oral biopsy page walks through the visit, the results and the cost, and our guide on when to worry about a mouth sore covers more.
Most spots have a simple explanation
Canker sores, a bitten cheek or a burn from hot food usually heal within a week or two, and many biopsy results turn out to be irritation, infection or a harmless growth. A spot that lingers past two to three weeks still deserves an exam, because looking is the only way to replace worry with a real answer.
Diagnosis is part of her training
Dr. Okhiria is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Diagnosing and treating diseases of the mouth and jaw is part of her surgical training and part of her regular work at The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite, and you'll hear from her directly after your procedure. If you've been watching a spot and wondering, you don't need a referral to ask.
Coordinated with your dentist
Many biopsy patients are referred by their general dentist, and you can also request a consult directly without one. Dr. Okhiria sends your dentist a clear report so your regular care stays on the same page.
Request a consult
Send a request and our team will call you to find a time. Most patients come with a referral from their dentist, and you're welcome without one.