Laser Dentistry for Oral Lesions in Fairfax Corner, VA

What Types of Oral Lesions Are Common?

Several types of oral lesions can occur in and around the oral cavity. Most are very common and relatively harmless, but a few of them merit prompt attention. The most common types of oral lesions we see include:

Canker Sores

Your dentist will know a canker sore as an aphthous ulcer. They’re very common, although very painful. Usually, they present on the gums or any soft tissue within the oral cavity. They’ll usually self-resolve within two weeks, but if yours doesn’t, then schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Cold Sores

Caused by the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 or type 2, cold sores used to be referred to as fever blisters. A fever isn’t usually part of the equation, however. A cold sore presents as fluid-filled blisters on or in the vicinity of the lips. They will typically self-resolve within three weeks, and some individuals experience more outbreaks than others.

Hemangiomas

A hemangioma is a birthmark that’s bright red and rubbery in appearance and usually occurs on the back, neck, face, or scalp. Hemangiomas are benign and seldom appear in the oral cavity.

HPV

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is an STD, or a sexually transmitted disease, that’s becoming increasingly common in America. More than 100 types of HPV exist, and several of them can afflict the oral cavity. Although not considered cancerous, the HPV lesions cause other normal cells to become abnormal, so they’re considered to be precancerous. If you have an HPV outbreak and a lesion in your oral cavity, it should be removed without delay.

Does Laser Oral Lesions Treatment Provide Benefits?

The use of laser dentistry for oral lesions provides several benefits to the patient, such as:

• Decreases trauma to the gum tissue
• Requires less anesthetic
• Faster than traditional methods
• Promotes more rapid recovery
• Decreases need for painkillers, thereby reducing the likelihood of addiction
• Promotes more rapid healing
• More precise than traditional methods

Who Can Diagnose an Oral Lesion?

Your dentist can diagnose the specific type of oral lesion you have. When you come to the office for your appointment, we’ll thoroughly inspect your soft tissues, including the cheeks, gums, lips, tongue, and palate, for bumps or lumps or other abnormal issues. We’ll take clinical photographs, and we may need to take an x-ray. Usually, the lesion will be readily visible if it’s a canker sore or cold sore. However, if your Fairfax Corner dentist notices unusual tissue formations, we may take a biopsy during your laser treatment, and we’ll send the biopsy to the pathology lab for evaluation.

What’s the Laser Dentistry Treatment Procedure for Oral Lesions?

When you come in for your laser treatment, your dentist will numb the area, and we’ll adjust the laser to the correct wavelength. This ensures that we’re able to remove the lesion without damaging the surrounding tissue. Most of our patients report an immediate cessation of pain and rapid healing. Often, they require only a single treatment to provide relief and recovery.

Where Can I Find Case Studies for Laser Dentistry Treatments?

Dentistry Today, a peer-reviewed publication, reported the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with burning pain in his oral cavity and disruption of his daily activities. He was unable to eat, sleep, or speak well. An examination revealed an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus, and the man was treated with the Biolase^® Epic X diode laser. He was asked to return the following day for another session, but when he returned the next day, the excision site was sufficiently healed that he required no additional treatment.

Who Provides Laser Dental Treatments for Oral Lesions in the Fairfax Corner Area?

If you’d like more information on the above case or if you want more information on oral lesions treatment or for other dental issues, call Smiles at Fairfax Corner at (703) 997-0928, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions. If you want to schedule an appointment, we’ll be happy to help you. For your convenience, you can also book an appointment online. We have several locations throughout the Fairfax Corner area, so you sure to find an office that’s convenient for you. Contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you.