Oral Lesions, Jaw Lesions

Oral lesions or mouth ulcers that can arise from infection or inflammation are often easily treated with medication or time. However, oral lesions can also be a precursor or indicator of cancer. Often these pre-cancerous lesions will need to be biopsied, extracted or treated with lasers. Oral and jaw lesions can also lead to further infections. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) recommend mothly examinations:

When performing an oral cancer self-examination, look for the following:

• white patches of the oral tissues — leukoplakia (figure a)
• red patches — erythroplakia
• red and white patches — erythroleukoplakia (figure b)
• a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• an abnormal lump or thickening of the tissues of the mouth (figures c and d)
• chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• a mass or lump in the neck (figure e)

See your oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you have any of these signs. If the oral and maxillofacial surgeon agrees that something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended.



If you see any of these signs or are worried about oral lesions, don't hesitate to contact Reno Oral Surgery for a consultation.