Your dentist or physician may refer you to St. Louis County Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to further evaluate any abnormalities of the oral tissues that were detected during their exam. The most serious of these is oral cancer, which has a much higher chance of being successfully treated when it is identified early. We may also detect other diseases such as jaw cysts or tumors; lesions of the lips, cheeks, tongue, and palate; and salivary gland disorders. The following signs may signal a pathological process or cancerous growth:

• A sore in the mouth or on the lips that does not heal within two weeks
• Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing
• A lump or thickening in the skin lining the inside of the mouth
• Red, white, or speckled red and white patches in the mouth
• A change in how the teeth fit together or in how your dentures or other oral appliances fit

If you notice any of these symptoms, we encourage you to contact our office for a thorough exam. We may use several types of diagnostic techniques and tools, including radiographic, microscopic, biochemical and other in-office examinations. For more information, please feel free to contact us today.