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Benign Oral Mass

Benign Oral Mass

Benign tumors are a mass of cells/tumors that lack the ability to invade neighboring tissue and will not metastasize or spread.

Dr. Stephen Juriga headshot

Originally published by Stephen Juriga, DVM · part of the AOSN network.

Signs you might notice

What you need to know

Benign tumors are not cancerous.

What you need to know

Most of these tumors can be surgically removed, and patients return to eating and play shortly thereafter.

What's really going on

A thorough examination under anesthesia with dental x-rays, biopsy, and oral surgery are performed. The biopsy is submitted to a board certified pathologist. He/she will examine the tissue to determine the cell type and make a diagnosis of a specific tumor that is present. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment in the majority of cases. For the most common benign masses (fibromatous or ossifying epulus) a marginal excision (3-5 mm of normal tissue) is adequate while an invasive benign mass (Acanthommatous Ameloblastoma) will require 1 cm of normal tissue).

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How it may look

Oral mass of the upper jaw
Oral mass of the upper jaw
Oral mass of the upper premolars
Oral mass of the upper premolars

How a specialist helps

Surgical excision is the preferred treatment in the majority of cases. For the most common benign oral masses, a marginal excision is adequate while an invasive benign mass will require 1 cm of normal tissue.

Possible therapy / treatment

Closure of the oral surgery site after removal of mass
Closure of the oral surgery site after removal of mass

Get help for your pet

Request a visit with our team and we'll take it from here.