Biopsy to have lump in mouth removed? Is this normal?

[derpkhan]

So I went to the dentist's today, they looked in my mouth and didn't point out anything too wrong besides some extractions an the lump in my mouth. They said the lump could either just be a growth caused by bacteria or it could be a wart. They said they'd do a biopsy to remove it so now I'm worried about two things.

A) What if they missed something else in my mouth? Like the right side of my rugae feels a little puffy/swollen but they didn't say anything about it being off.

B) I thought you only had a biopsy to check for cancer. Is that not the case?

[Lilac58]

I'm certain they didn't mention it because they didn't see a problem. Any abnormality is very easily spotted by the trained eye of a dentist.

Also, it is absolutely routine to do a biopsy of anything that is being removed, it is always sent to histology, it really is routine and not a reason to worry.

[Emilym80]

I agree with Lilac, I think it'd be more unusual for them to remove a growth or anything from your mouth and not send it for a biopsy.

If they thought it was suspicious insofar as being concerning, they would have told you and sent you for surgery as soon as they could.

Take care :)

[MyNameIsTerry]

I agree. My dad & brother have had a few lumps removed in recent years by the hospital doctors and they have always stated they would do a biopsy just to be sure even when they 100% knew it was just going to be a cyst and of no importance.

Dentists are specialists. I would be more conformtable with them than a GP when it comes to the mouth and they have additional facilities such as onsite X-ray equipment, just like at a hospital.

[derpkhan]

Glad to know it's the norm. I guess it's nothing serious because they didn't want to rush me off to surgery soon or anything.

I was also worried just because there were a couple of lumps they didn't comment on but I guess that's just my anxiety being silly.