BENEFITS:
Accurate diagnosis of the oral condition.
Identification of any necessary treatment options.
RISKS:
I understand that there are risks associated with the biopsy procedure, including (but not limited to):
- Post-operative discomfort and swelling that may require several days of at-home recuperation.
- Prolonged or heavy bleeding that may require additional treatment.
- Post-operative infection that may require additional treatment.
- Stretching of the corners of the mouth that may cause cracking and bruising and which may heal slowly.
- Restricted mouth opening for several days, sometimes related to swelling and muscle soreness, and sometimes related to stress on the jaw joints (TMJ).
- Reactions to medications, anesthetics, sutures.
- Injury to sensory nerve branches in the area of the biopsy, which may result in pain or tingling or numb feeling in the lip, chin, tongue, cheek, gums, or teeth, or in areas of the skin of the face. Usually, this disappears slowly over several weeks or months, but occasionally the effects may be permanent.