What is an Oral Fibroma? How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
An oral fibroma affects approximately 1-2% of the population, and occurs in both adult men and women.
Oral fibromas are sometimes referred to as traumatic fibromas. The term “traumatic fibroma” refers to when a person repeatedly bites or irritates the affected area. When this consistently happens, the oral fibromas gets bigger and more troublesome every time.
They are usually round or oval in nature, and measure approximately 1mm to 2cm in diameter. A patient who has an oral fibromas typically does not experience symptoms, but having one can be bothersome.
What is an oral fibroma?
An oral fibromas is simply a mass of connective tissue, which is similar to scar tissue, and consists of collagen. They are pink in color, not contagious, and are harmless unless they interfere with daily functioning, in which case, they should be removed.
Oral fibromas usually form as a result of chronic irritation, such as: a rough tooth rubbing against your gums or cheek; biting your lip or cheek; and chronic irritation caused by dentures or other dental appliances.
The most common oral sites where an oral fibromas can emerge are: cheeks (where upper and lower teeth meet), sides of the tongue, gums, and on the inside of your lower lip.
Oral fibroma treatment in Houston
Oral fibromas do not disappear on their own; thus, removing them by a dentist with surgical training or by your doctor, oral surgeon, or periodontist is the only option.
Dr. Kathy Frazar and Dr. Thomas Hedge have experience and training of oral fibroma removal, diagnosis, and treatment. They evaluate each patient’s oral fibromas on a case-by-case basis to determine the best treatment(s).
Our top-notch Houston dentists have the technology and expertise to successfully remove an oral fibroma. Their success rates for this minimally invasive procedure are very high.
For the procedure, they will use a local anesthesia to numb the area, and then remove the oral fibroma with a laser. Usually two to three small stitches will be needed to close the wounded area.
Lastly, a biopsy is typically performed to ensure the oral fibroma is properly diagnosed, and to pinpoint the type of abnormal tissue growth.
The entire in-office procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes, and you should heal within a few days to a week. Since patients do not experience major discomfort after the oral fibroma removal procedure, our dentists will usually recommend anti-inflammatory aspirin or ibuprofen to patients.
If you suspect that you have an oral fibroma, our dentists in Houston will be happy to successfully diagnose and remove it. Call us today to schedule your appointment, or to ask us questions!