Oral Pathology | Torrance CA
Oral Cancer Screening
The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer. The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness and/or difficulty in chewing or swallowing
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.
We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we can assist you with any questions or concerns.
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Lindon K. Kawahara, MD, DMD, Inc.
Patient Review by Peter C
Dr. Yamamoto and the staff are very caring and worked with me throughout the entire process from surgery to recovery.
- Peter C
Patient Review by Ryan
No complaints. Everything was smooth with minimal pain after the procedure.
- Ryan
Patient Review by Jennifer
My anxiety was at an all-time high. Many thanks to doctor and staff for making my surgery not as difficult as I imagined.
- Jennifer
Patient Review by Reiko
Professional and Personable
- Reiko
Patient Review by Art
outstanding, very friendly, very knowledgeable
- Art
Patient Review by Theresa
amazing efficiency
- Theresa
Patient Review by Martin
Triple A Service
- Martin
Patient Review by Merry An C
Very pleased. I didn't look forward to the work necessary to be done, but it all worked out more pleasantly than I had imagined.
- Merry An C
Patient Review by Kevin Y
I've never had a biopsy until I was treated by Dr. Kawahara and his staff, and they couldn't have made me feel more comfortable through the whole process. During our initial meeting/consultation, he diagnosed cautiously and went over different options for next steps. I felt no pressure one way or the other and chose a biopsy. Walking in to the building the day of surgery, everything was well prepared and clean. I was nervous, but their expertise and communication of what to expect was very calming. Afterward, I was given clear instructions on what I should do to recover best. They even called me to check-in prior to our scheduled check up appointment. I am fully healed. Dr. Kawahara and the entire staff showed nothing but friendliness and professionalism, I highly recommend them!
- Kevin Y
Patient Review by Mori K
I visited the website for the first time since my surgery approximately 23 and 35 years ago from Dr. Kawahara and I thought it would be helpful for future patients to understand the result of his procedures over the long term. At the age of approximately 16, Dr. Kawahara had extracted my wisdom teeth. I remember that it was my first experience to go through any type of surgery under general anesthesia and the surgery was at his old location on Redondo Beach Blvd. The wisdom teeth extraction was smooth and while I experienced normal post-surgery pains, I had no complications. Dr. Kawahara and his team of staff gave excellent care. Since I was young, I had a significant underbite, and consequently I had trouble eating things properly. For example, when I would have a sandwich, my underbite would require that I bite a sandwich multiple times in order to cut the sandwich into bite size. I believe anyone who has under or overbite experiences this to some degree. My parents asked Dr. Kawahara whether I should get a surgery, he recommended that I wait until I stopped growing, so that additional procedures can be avoided in the future. Therefore, I waited until my early 20s to visit Dr. Kawahara. At around the age of 22, I visited Dr. Kawahara at his current location, and determined together with Dr. Kawahara that I should now go through the surgery. Since this is not a procedure that most people go through, I had significant amount of anxiety and concerns. Dr. Kawahara was very clear on the steps necessary as well as potential complications such as numbness that may persist where he operates. This process was long: First, Dr. Kawahara recommended that I have my teeth realigned by having braces for about 2 years under the care of an orthodontist. After I was deemed to be ready, Dr. Kawahara operated on my jaw and after the surgery my mouth was to remain wired shut. As Dr. Kawahara had mentioned, there were numb areas to the lower left part of the face, but Dr. Kawahara reassured me that while it may take some time, numbness should subside over time. After a few months, and numbness started to disappear, and I remember feeling astonished that I can eat things properly that I could not easily before. Now after more than 20 years, I still believe that it was a right choice for me to have undergone the surgery in order to have my bite corrected, and by a doctor and a team of staff who really cared each step of the way. The surgical procedure remains excellent over the long-term, and I can strongly recommend Dr. Kawahara with confidence. I have no numbness and my bite remains great.
- Mori K