Oral Biopsy & Cyst Removal

Oral Biopsy
In the early stages of the development, oral cancer is often painless and its physical signs may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Oral cancer occurs where an abnormal group of cells (tumour) develop on the surface of the tongue, mouth, lips or gums. Less commonly, it can occur in the salivary glands, tonsils and the part of the throat that leads from your mouth to your windpipe (the pharynx).If diagnosed early, survival rates are high. Treatment can be a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Cysts
A cyst is a sac of tissue that has either fluid or soft material inside it. Cysts can form in a wide range of tissues including in the face and mouth. Some form next to or around teeth.

What is Oral Biopsy & Cyst Removal?

An oral biopsy is usually indicated to diagnose causes of abnormal tissue growth in the mouth. A tissue sample is extracted and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Although they are may not be harmful, cysts are usually removed surgically as they can weaken or damage surrounding tissue and bone when expanded, or affect the position of surrounding teeth.

Who is At Risk?

Smokers
Excessive alcohol consumption
Undergo excessive unprotected exposure to sun
Low intake of fruits and vegetables
Habit of chewing on betel nuts

Consultation
Treatment
Follow Up Care

The Process

Initial Consultation

Our dental specialist/ dentist will find out the details of your medical and dental history, go through a consultation and examination and take a digital X-ray of your teeth to enable a thorough and detailed diagnosis, to ascertain if you require biopsy or cyst removal.

Treatment

Oral Biopsy
To perform a biopsy, our dental specialist/ dentist will surgically remove a small piece of tissue from the area in question. This sample will be sent to the lab, where it will be examined under a microscope and analyzed according to the kinds of cells it contains.

You will be ready to resume daily activities immediately after the biopsy and you should not feel any pain.

Cyst Removal
The most common kinds of cysts that form in the oral cavity are periapical cysts, which are caused by infections spreading to the pulp of a tooth, or dentigerous cysts, which usually form around impacted wisdom teeth. Although they are not in themselves harmful, we would recommend their removal, as they can weaken or damage surrounding tissue and bone when expanded or affect the position of surrounding teeth.

Cyst removal can usually be done under local anesthesia and will not cause pain to most people. Usually, a cyst can be removed with a simple surgical procedure. If the cyst is very large, more extensive surgery may be required to reconstruct the bone after the cyst has been removed.

There should not be any pain or discomfort after the procedure. Occasionally, a few patients may experience mild sensitivity, which typically would calm down with time and/or after a few days of medication.

Follow Up Care

The results of the biopsy will usually be ready within 1 week. Based on this, our dental specialists/ dentists will then discuss with you (if necessary) the type of treatment required.

For cyst removal, it is recommended that you adhere to your check-up with your dentist 6 monthly check-up and maintenance appointment with your dentist to make sure that the cyst does not grow back.

Oral Biopsy and Cyst Removal Fees

Treatment Fees
Medisave Claimable?

Description	Fee (SGD)
Consultation	$80 — $200
Digital x-ray	$140
CT Scan	$350 — $600 (depends on whether it is one jaw or two jaws)
Cyst Removal – Mucocele	$1,500 — $1,800 (including biopsy fee)