Technical notes about soft tissues biopsies of the oral cavity

Oral mucosa biopsy is a simple surgical procedure in common dental practice; however, to obtain the best results from its use, it should be performed in the respect of some specific rules concerning indications, techniques, drawing sites, surgical steps and specimen management. The main purpose of biopsy, indeed, is the histopathological diagnosis and, therefore, the specimen should be suitable in size and clinical expressivity and free from artifacts. The availability of the proper instruments, the correct performance of all surgical steps and the suitable treatment of the specimen before it is processed by the pathologist are all essential means to avoid microscopic misinterpretations. The relationship between surgeon or dentist and pathologist is also an important aspect to be considered in the management of the biopsied patient. Complete clinical information should be provided to the pathologist; on the other hand, a clear microscopic response should be supplied to the clinician. Finally, when an excisional biopsy is performed, some surgical expediencies have to be carried out to guarantee the best aesthetic and functional results.