Oral Cancer Screening provided by Osborne Dentistry in Lebanon, OR

A sad tooth being pulled out of a row of happy teeth at Osborne Dentistry in Lebanon, OR

When possible, it is best to have your natural teeth restored and repaired. However, our team at Osborne Dentistry understands that this is not always possible, especially once a damaged or decayed tooth has become painful or infected. That is why we offer tooth extractions among our many services.

However, our professionals do not simply extract your tooth and send you on your way. Our team will develop a customized treatment plan that involves future restorations. We will also provide detailed aftercare instructions so that your recovery is as comfortable as possible.

Are There More Than One Type of Extraction?

There are two basic types of extractions. The more common type is called a simple extraction because it does not involve any incisions being made into your gum line and is generally pretty quick to complete. This type of extraction is used if your tooth is damaged or infected and is completely exposed above your gum line.

When completing a simple extraction, our professional will administer an anesthetic to the surgical site before starting. We will then take hold of your tooth with a metal handheld tool called forceps. To remove the tooth, we will gently manipulate it and pull on it in a side-to-side motion until it is freed from your gum line.

Sometimes, removing a tooth using this method is a little more involved. If the tooth is tightly lodged into your gums, we may need to shatter the tooth. We can then remove each section piece by piece without further aggravating your gums.

The other type of extraction is called a surgical extraction and is performed when a tooth is impacted. An impacted tooth is a tooth that is either partially or completely underneath the gum line. This most commonly occurs with wisdom teeth. After administering the anesthetic, our professional will need to make an incision into your gums to expose the tooth before removing it with forceps.

Is There a Long Recovery When Having a Tooth Extracted?

Getting a tooth pulled involves a relatively short recovery, especially with a simple extraction. Most patients experience some soreness and tenderness for a few days to a week. If your tooth was impacted, you will have received sutures after the procedure and will probably need a few additional days to heal. Our team will prescribe pain medication, if necessary, to keep you comfortable during this time.

Can I Get My Extracted Teeth Replaced Later?

You can replace your extracted teeth with one of several restorations at a later date. To help keep your jawbone healthy enough for future restorations, our team will likely recommend that you receive a tooth socket graft at the time of your extraction. This involves the placement of a bone-like material into the socket created by your extraction. This material will fuse with your jawbone and provide a good foundation for dental implants if you opt for them in the future.

Schedule Your Appointment

Just because you need to have a tooth extracted does not mean that you have to compromise your long-term oral health goals. If you are troubled by a damaged tooth, come to see our professionals at Osborne Dentistry and let us prepare you for a new smile. You can schedule your appointment by calling our office at 541-451-4300.

Oral Cancer Screening Lebanon, OR

Oral cancer spelled out with game pieces at Osborne Dentistry in Lebanon, OR

When people mention preventive dental practices, many patients simply think of getting their teeth cleaned and examined. Preventive dentistry includes much more than just a simple teeth cleaning, however. Our professionals at Osborne Dentistry are always looking for ways to better serve our patients.

One way that we have sought to accomplish this goal is by including an oral cancer screening during every dental exam. An oral cancer screening simply involves our professionals carefully inspecting your oral cavity for any unusual growths or developments. This can include things such as a lump or bump in your mouth or on your gums. Sores that do not heal or go away are also another common indicator of oral cancer that our team checks for during these screenings.

If anything abnormal is detected, our professionals will connect you with the appropriate healthcare professionals needed to conduct further follow-up. Generally, any abnormal growth is biopsied to determine if it is malignant. A biopsy is simply a surgical procedure that involves removing a tiny portion of the growth and sending it to the lab for analysis. This simple procedure can allow your doctors and our professionals to work together to best treat you.

How Common Is Oral Cancer?

Based on data collected by the Mayo Clinic, approximately 3% of all new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States are a form of oral cancer. These diagnoses are most common in men over the age of 40, but women are also at risk.

Certain risk factors and conditions can increase your risk of oral cancer. The vast majority of oral cancers are linked to tobacco or alcohol use. Infection with certain chronic diseases such as HPV can also increase the risk of contracting oral cancer.

Oral cancer screenings are important, even if you do not have any of the risk factors. Early detection of oral cancer or pre-cancerous developments can significantly improve the success rates of any treatment plans and help you have a favorable outcome.

How Is Oral Cancer Treated?

Oral cancer is treated very similarly to other forms of cancer. However, special care must be taken to protect the structures of the oral cavity and airway. Generally speaking, surgery is used to remove the cancerous material as soon as is safely possible to do so. The surgical treatment route is paired with other treatments in many cases.

After surgery, many patients will receive either chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells that may not have been removed during the surgery. Some patients receive both chemo and radiation, depending on their needs.

Once the cancer treatments are complete, our professionals can utilize various surgical procedures to reconstruct your teeth and gums. These corrective procedures are often needed when a large growth or multiple growths are removed, resulting in damage to your oral cavity.

The best way to combat oral cancer is to take a proactive approach. This means getting regular oral cancer screenings from our professionals at Osborne Dentistry and receiving any follow-up treatment promptly if it is recommended. You can schedule your appointment with us by calling our office at 541-451-4300 today.

Oral Cancer Screening • Lebanon, OR
Stay proactive about your oral health with oral cancer screenings at Osborne Dentistry. Early detection is key—schedule your screening in Lebanon, OR today.
Osborne Dentistry, 150 Market Street, Lebanon, OR 97355; 541-451-4300; osbornedentistry.com; 11/21/2025; Page Keywords: dentist Lebanon OR;