Dental Biopsy – Need, Procedure, Risks and Precautions

What is Biopsy

A simple process of surgery to extract samples of bone or soft tissue from the body for further medical examination is called biopsy. In dental case, this could be gum tissue, a jaw piece or a tooth to examine better.

This Oral surgery is executed when the dentist wants to understand the collected sample in the laboratory. The basic objective of conducting biopsy is to detect the sources of the lesions or any irregularity. This irregularity may be the result of any injury or sickness. The lesions could be in the location of bone or the soft tissue that might not look normal. It could be a patch on the skin or lump, looking odd due to its different texture and color.

Types of Biopsies

Biopsies are of two kinds - incisional and the excisional. The formal biopsies will only extract a tiny piece of cell from the lesion and it will be considered as sample while the later biopsies will detach the whole lesion altogether.

Assertion of the type of biopsy entirely depends on multiple factors. Like, if the lesion is small and if your dentist hopes that it is not cancerous then an excisional biopsy can be conducted and if the patch is huge and it gives a reason to believe that it could be malignant your dental surgeon would apply incisional biopsy.

Why to Perform Biopsies

Biopsies are facilitated for taking off lesions completely or partially with a motive to examine it in the laboratory. This process is mostly done when your dental surgeon apprehends that the lesion is cancerous. Often biopsies are also conducted to diagnose some other non-cancerous conditions.

Preparations for Biopsy

For biopsy, you would be required to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial fluid to avoid any infections. Dentist will also taint your mouth to have a clearer view of the lesion. If you would require a bone biopsy then computed tomography scans or x-rays would be required before the surgery. Mostly the oral biopsies are conducted at the dentist’s office administering local anaesthesia and you remain fully conscious in this state.

Procedure of Biopsy

In the procedure or biopsy, the lesions of soft cells are taken off with the help of laser or a scalpel and post this procedure the location is stitched closed. In case the lesion is in the bone, a drill is used to access the right location of the lesion by removing bone and the cells capping the bone is closed through stitches once the sample is extracted.

Post Surgery Soreness and Swelling

Once the influence of the local anesthetic subsides after a couple of hours, you may feel slight pain or swelling in the area that has been operated upon. Your dentist would prescribe simple painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol to offer relief from the pain and cut down the swelling. More often than not, any type of discomfort can survive only for a couple of days.

Bleeding

Albeit, there could be some bleeding during the biopsy, this generally stops quickly and there is almost nil chances of further bleeding once the wound is stitched. If the biopsy site continues to bleed, you can stop this by applying pressure on the area for 10 minutes using a swab or clean rolled-up piece of cotton. Still, if the bleeding seizes to stop, immediately contact your oral dentist.

Resume Work

This entirely depends on your job and your personal comfort ability after this surgery. The majority of people resume their work in the later part of the same day. If you feel uncomfortable for some day you can take rest.

Follow-up Procedure

You would be advised to have over-the-counter pain killers in the event if you feel discomfort in the operated area. Eating soft foods, rinsing with warm salted water and especially rinsing with antibacterial solutions will be advisable for a few days. Your dental surgeon may also prescribe you some antibiotics to avoid infection. You would be asked to revisit clinic after two weeks of the surgery to examine the wound and ensure that your wound is recuperating properly.

It is suggested not to bite the numb location of your mouth. Don doesn't rinse your mouth too hard on the day of surgery, it may lead to bleeding. Clean your teeth as usual including the teeth sitting next to the location of the biopsy to avoid any infection. If you see some food particles lodged in and around the site of biopsy, rinse it gently to dislodge it using a mouthwash or warm salt water.

Risks Associated with a Biopsy

It may happen that the bleeding may continue for a few days and if it lasts for a long time you need to consult your dental surgeon to stop it. There is a thin possibility of the operated site being infected post surgery. This could be due to the presence of various bacteria in the mouth. Under these circumstances your surgeon would advise you to rely on antibacterial rinses, antibiotics medicines and often both also to reduce the risk of infection of any kind. There is a bleak chance that during the surgery, your surgeon may damage some blood vessels and nerves located nearby. This risk can be reduced by X-rays and expert knowledge of your surgeon about the mouth anatomy.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you witness increased swelling, fever, chills, continuous bleeding and numbness even after a successful biopsy, you should take help of your oral surgeon immediately. These are some unusual signs that require immediate medical attention.

 

Biopsy is a very simple process but you need to be prepared and knowledgeable to understand the risks associated; expectations from this surgery and the exact procedure of the same to face the surgery! So, have a closer understanding of this oral dental surgery, who knows if you ever have to undergo this procedure in future!

Dental Crown: Needs, procedures and After care

A dental crown is a hollow cap that encases the surface of the tooth entirely to restore its original size and shape and give strength and improve the appearance of the tooth. It’s a fixed prosthetic device fixed on existing teeth or implants and can remove by dentist only. It is also known as cap and gives teeth original natural appearance.

When it is needed?

A Dental Surgeon suggests for dental crown for several reasons as shown below.

• To protect a tooth from weakening due to severe tooth decay or other dental problems
• To restore a severely damaged tooth or fractured tooth
• To hold joint parts of a broken or a cracked tooth
• To hold a dental bridge in position
• To cover as well as support the tooth having a large filling
• To cover a dental implant
• To cover roughly discolored or misshaped tooth
• To cover a tooth having root canal
• For cosmetic enhancement

What types of material used for dental crown and bridges?

There are varieties of materials used for dental crown and bridges. For permanent crown, metal, resin, ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-metal materials are used normally.

Metal – One of the most reliable options for dental crown is metal dental crowns. A metal alloy is highly durable and normally used in less visible areas of mouth for back morals due to its appearance. It is not used for improving cosmetic appearance. In metal crown, gold alloy, base metal alloy such as nickel or chromium or other alloy is used. In this type of crown less tooth structure needs to be removed. It resists chewing and biting forces and become durable as it breaks or chip rarely.

Ceramic or Porcelain – It is mainly used to give teeth a natural look. People having allergy to metal or not prefer metal crowns, ceramic or porcelain crowns become the best option. The only drawback is that the material may erode over time and need replacement or repair. It is also not durable like other material such as metal and porcelain-fused metal crowns.

Porcelain Fused To Metal – It comprises benefits of durability and proffers natural look. In this type of dental crown the porcelain combines with the metal that gives strength due to the metal base and the exterior surface is of porcelain that blends with other teeth naturally. Although, it is also long lasting but somewhat less compare to metal crown. Strength and durability are the advantages of porcelain fused to metal crown. The only disadvantages of it is that sometimes it creates a great shadow or line near the gum but it will not affect the functionality of the crown.

Resin – When it comes to cost factor, the resin crown becomes very economical and also look good in the mouth. The disadvantages of it that it wear down quickly and need to replace quickly compared to other types of dental crowns.

How to care a crowned tooth?

It is advisable to take proper care of a crowned tooth in a similar manner as normal teeth. Actually a good oral hygiene practice that includes brushing twice, flossing once in a day carefully, rinses your mouth after eating or drinking and regular visit to dentist provides long life to dental crown. It is also necessary to avoid chewing or biting on hard surfaces if there are porcelain crowns. It is essential to prevent porcelain fracture.

Wisdom Tooth Removal – Need and Associated Possible Issues if Not Removed

Normally, wisdom tooth erupts between the age group of 18 to 24 years. In many people, it may come later or earlier. It is also known as third morals, the last teeth of the moral teeth in the back of the mouth. It is possible to have four wisdom teeth in each corner of the mouth. Normally, if teeth come in the right position, straight and healthy, it will not give pain or other problems. People need to visit a dental surgeon for regular check-up of wisdom tooth to prevent from any major complications in future.

Why Need to Remove Wisdom Tooth

Different people have to undergo to remove their wisdom tooth for different reasons such as major dental cavities, periodontal diseases, infections, cysts, tumors, as well as for prevention of a nearby tooth from damaging. Here we have described some dental problems if it becomes severe than it may need to remove wisdom tooth.

Impacted Teeth - The position of wisdom tooth is in the corner of the mouth and it erupts at last after eruption of all permanent teeth. Hence, most people have to face enough space problems of teeth to come in the right place. Hence, the teeth that cannot come outside or erupt in place are known as impacted wisdom teeth. Those teeth remain under the jaw line as they cannot develop normally. Hence, in such condition, it becomes essential for the dentist to remove such impacted wisdom tooth.

Gum Diseases - Periodontal disease or gingivitis can affect the nearby teeth of wisdom teeth. It mainly causes due to the bacteria infection and affects the tooth supporting structure, badly.

Tooth Decay – In an advanced stage of tooth decay, it creates holes in the tooth that may affect the second molars. When tooth restoration is not possible, it becomes essential to remove wisdom teeth.

Pericoronitis – An infection of the soft tissues (surrounding the partially erupted tooth crown) is caused by the plaque around the tooth.

Osteomyelitis – People having a major infection in the bone of jaw require removing the tooth.

Tooth Abscess or Cellulitis – In people when pus and swelling gathers around their wisdom teeth as well as its surrounding oral structures due to the infection of bacteria need to go for removing the wisdom tooth. It may occur due to the tooth decay or tooth trauma when a tooth is chipped or broken.

Cysts and Tumor – When any wisdom teeth are unable to burst through the gum; it develops a cyst or tumor. It also causes due to an overproduction of cells. In very rare case it happens. It develops near impacted teeth and known as dentigerous cyst or tumor. It damages surrounding teeth, nerves and other oral structures.

However, normally dental surgeons make all efforts to cure teeth of patient and if it becomes not curable or affect other teeth then only they advise patient to go for surgery.

Problems Associated with Wisdom Tooth

In many people, even they have impacted wisdom teeth; they don’t realize it for years or do not know that they have impacted wisdom teeth. Normally, wisdom teeth give problems only if they erupt in the wrong direction, crooked, and others. Oral Dental Surgery is required for removing wisdom teeth in cases for impacted teeth or other dental diseases. Below are some problems associated with wisdom teeth.

• Mostly impacted teeth have a tendency to cause pain as they press its nearby teeth that may cause damage to that tooth. It can also cause infection, swelling, tenderness and severe pain.
• In addition, it becomes not possible to clean wisdom teeth properly as it is hard to reach and make it clean properly. Thus, it creates a high risk of infection or irritation around it. Infection is caused by the bacteria which is the major source of gum disease. These bacteria pass from the mouth through the bloodstream and it may cause the possible systemic infections and creates health related problems affecting the kidneys, heart and other organs.
• According to some research, if wisdom teeth are affected by periodontal disease [in the areas of third molar]; it creates persistent and increasing problems.

Around 18 to 24 years, during the period of wisdom tooth erupt; it is advisable to visit your dentist regularly. This will protect you from the development of any major complications if the wisdom tooth becomes impacted tooth. It becomes easy to remove wisdom teeth in the younger age as the roots of the tooth are not grown-up completely and the bone is also less dense. Hence the tooth extraction process becomes less painful and allows fast recovery.