Oral pathology is the study of diseases and the effects that they have on the oral and maxillofacial areas. During your dental exams, not only is your dentist checking the health of your teeth but your lips, cheeks, and mouth. If any area is suspect, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation. These situations in general can cause anxiety but our office will walk you step by step through the process in a timely and professional manner. You will be given an appointment, and depending on the location, an image will be taken for a through assessment by Dr. Stigall. With imaging, thorough medical history, and assessment, Dr. Stigall will determine whether or not a biopsy of the area is the best choice of treatment. Sometimes biopsies are completely excised or removed, and a suture may not even be required. The pathology of every biopsy varies because of the patients' physiological conditions and thus treatment will inevitably vary, but Implants and Orofacial Surgery Specialists will provide you with a through assessment and take the time to explain all treatment options if applicable.