BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuGum biopsyBiopsy - gingiva (gums)A gum biopsy is a surgery in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed and examined. BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A painkiller is sprayed into the mouth in the area of the abnormal gum tissue. You may also have an injection of numbing medicine. A small piece of gum tissue is removed and checked for problems in the lab. Sometimes stitches are used to close the opening created for the biopsy. How to Prepare for the Test You may be told not to eat for a few hours before the biopsy. How the Test will Feel The painkiller put in your mouth should numb the area during the procedure. You may feel some tugging or pressure. If there is bleeding, the blood vessels may be sealed off with an electric current or laser. This is called electrocauterization. After the numbness wears off, the area may be sore for a few days.ElectrocauterizationElectrocauterization is the process of heating tissue with electricity.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Why the Test is Performed This test is done to look for the cause of abnormal gum tissue. Normal Results This test is only done when gum tissue looks abnormal. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may indicate:Amyloidosis AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Noncancerous mouth sores (the specific cause can be determined in many cases) Mouth soresThere are different types of mouth sores. They can occur anywhere in the mouth including bottom of the mouth, inner cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Oral cancer (for example, squamous cell carcinoma)Oral cancerOral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States. Other common types of skin cancer are:Basal cell cancerMelan...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Risks for this procedure include:Bleeding from the biopsy site Infection of the gums Soreness Considerations Avoid brushing the area where the biopsy was performed for 1 week. You may be given a mouthwash to keep the area clean for a week after the procedure.Open ReferencesReferencesEllis E, Huber MA. Principles of differential diagnosis and biopsy. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22.Wein RO, Weber RS. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 91.AllVideoImagesTogGum biopsy - illustration Gum biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed for examination. The test is performed when examination of the mouth reveals abnormal-appearing gum tissue.Gum biopsyillustrationTooth anatomy - illustration The structure of the tooth includes dentin, pulp and other tissues, blood vessels and nerves imbedded in the bony jaw. Above the gum line, the tooth is protected by the hard enamel covering.Tooth anatomyillustrationGum biopsy - illustration Gum biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed for examination. The test is performed when examination of the mouth reveals abnormal-appearing gum tissue.Gum biopsyillustrationTooth anatomy - illustration The structure of the tooth includes dentin, pulp and other tissues, blood vessels and nerves imbedded in the bony jaw. Above the gum line, the tooth is protected by the hard enamel covering.Tooth anatomyillustration Tests for Gum biopsy Gum biopsyRelated Information Primary amyloidosis(Condition)Oral cancer(Condition)Squamous cell skin cancer(Condition)Mouth sores(Symptoms) Review Date: 3/1/2023 Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Gum biopsyBiopsy - gingiva (gums)A gum biopsy is a surgery in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed and examined. BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A painkiller is sprayed into the mouth in the area of the abnormal gum tissue. You may also have an injection of numbing medicine. A small piece of gum tissue is removed and checked for problems in the lab. Sometimes stitches are used to close the opening created for the biopsy. How to Prepare for the Test You may be told not to eat for a few hours before the biopsy. How the Test will Feel The painkiller put in your mouth should numb the area during the procedure. You may feel some tugging or pressure. If there is bleeding, the blood vessels may be sealed off with an electric current or laser. This is called electrocauterization. After the numbness wears off, the area may be sore for a few days.ElectrocauterizationElectrocauterization is the process of heating tissue with electricity.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Why the Test is Performed This test is done to look for the cause of abnormal gum tissue. Normal Results This test is only done when gum tissue looks abnormal. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may indicate:Amyloidosis AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Noncancerous mouth sores (the specific cause can be determined in many cases) Mouth soresThere are different types of mouth sores. They can occur anywhere in the mouth including bottom of the mouth, inner cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Oral cancer (for example, squamous cell carcinoma)Oral cancerOral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States. Other common types of skin cancer are:Basal cell cancerMelan...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Risks for this procedure include:Bleeding from the biopsy site Infection of the gums Soreness Considerations Avoid brushing the area where the biopsy was performed for 1 week. You may be given a mouthwash to keep the area clean for a week after the procedure.Open ReferencesReferencesEllis E, Huber MA. Principles of differential diagnosis and biopsy. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22.Wein RO, Weber RS. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 91.
