Clinicians' role in the occurrence of oral biopsy artifacts as a potential diagnostic dilemma

A lack of knowledge about biopsy techniques and the management of biopsy specimens can cause artifacts. Artifacts are false structures that change the normal morphological and cytological features of tissues. This review article aimed to familiarize clinicians / dentists / surgeons with the factors causing artifacts and with the efficient strategies to prevent or minimize their occurrence. Non-adherence to several rules can result in the formation of artifacts. The clinician’s performance during and after the surgical procedure (until the sample is received by the laboratory) may damage the biopsy specimen or make it susceptible to damage. Artifacts may not be clinically considered noteworthy. However, by modifying the histopathological features of the specimen, they can lead to serious errors in the interpretation of lesions. Knowledge on the part of clinicians / dentists / surgeons regarding the factors and potential conditions that can lead to artifacts can decrease the risk of their occurrence, and considerably help pathologists and patients by paving the way for a correct diagnosis, and consequently an appropriate treatment plan.