Lesion

In dentistry, a lesion is a broad term for any abnormal change in the tissue of the mouth. This includes everything from common, harmless conditions like canker sores (aphthous ulcers) and cold sores (herpes simplex) to potentially serious findings like leukoplakia (white patches), erythroplakia (red patches), or masses that may require biopsy to rule out oral cancer.

The oral cancer screening component of a routine dental exam is where lesion detection becomes most critical. Dentists and hygienists examine the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, cheeks, and gums, looking for any changes in color, texture, or contour. Red or white patches that do not wipe away, sores that do not heal within two weeks, lumps, and areas of numbness all warrant further investigation. When a suspicious lesion is found, the next step depends on its characteristics. Some lesions can be monitored over a short period to see if they resolve on their own. Others need to be biopsied immediately, meaning a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist for microscopic analysis. The biopsy result determines whether the lesion is benign, precancerous, or malignant, which guides the treatment plan.

For your practice, thorough documentation of all soft tissue findings is essential, even for lesions that appear benign. Recording the location, size, color, texture, and duration of any lesion creates a baseline for future comparison and demonstrates that the standard of care was met. Having a clear referral pathway to an oral surgeon or oral pathologist ensures that suspicious findings are addressed promptly, and following up to confirm the patient attended the referral is an important step that should not be overlooked.