Oral Cancer Screening Phoenix, AZ.
Finding a sore or lump in your mouth suddenly is scary, and most oral cancer cases show no symptoms in the early stages. At Paradise Ridge Dentistry, we offer oral cancer screening as a part of routine examination. When an oral health issue is detected at an early stage, the treatment is less complex, has higher success rates, and has a lower risk of future complications.
It is a thorough examination of your mouth’s soft tissues for any signs of abnormal change in color or texture. Lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat are all included in the screening. It is also done for lumps, lesions, or sores.
Oral Screening Screening Services We Offer
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Dr. Joe Lyman - Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) - General Dentist
Dr. Lyman is an Arizona native who earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He went on to A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, earning a Certificate of Public Health with a dental emphasis and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. He continues to pursue dental education across local and national programs to stay current with new treatments, techniques, and technology. After dental school, he completed an internship in Galveston, Texas, with exposure to oral and maxillofacial surgery before practicing general dentistry in Texas. More than half of his patients there were children, and he especially enjoyed working with them. Before college, he spent two years in Mississippi serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dr. Lyman and his wife, a native of Arizona, eventually returned to Tucson with their four children after an opportunity to join a local dental practice came up. Outside dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his family while hiking, swimming, biking, visiting parks, exploring Tucson, and attending sporting and cultural events. Service is also an important part of his life. He has volunteered through Give Kids a Smile, AZ Mission of Mercy, Day for Special Smiles, and Latin World Ministries, serving both local and international communities. Dr. Lyman brings a genuine love of dentistry and helping people to his work and looks forward to caring for patients and their families.
Office Information
15433 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 200,
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Office Hours
Convenient hours for our valued patients
- Mon - Wed 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Thurs 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Fri 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Visual and Physical Oral Examination
During your oral cancer screening, we carefully check your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. All soft tissues in your mouth are examined thoroughly for lesions, sores, swelling, or texture changes that don’t look right. The jaw, neck, and oral tissues are physically checked for any lumps or irregularities that aren’t visible on the surface.
Tissue Biopsy
A tissue biopsy is essential and only performed when your visual examination and screening with advanced tools identify something that needs confirmation. We take a small tissue sample under local anaesthesia and send it for laboratory analysis. Results confirm whether anything needs to be addressed and what the next step would be for your situation.
Advanced Oral Cancer Screening with ViziLite TBlue
When a standard visual exam identifies something unusual, we use ViziLite TBlue for a more detailed examination. A specialised light source highlights tissue changes that aren’t always visible under normal examination conditions. This helps identify areas that may need further investigation before anything has a chance to develop further.
Who Needs Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is important for those who are at higher risk of the disease. In some cases, lifestyle habits trigger oral cancer, while in others, a virus or weak immune system is the cause.
Common risk factors for oral cancer are:
- Current or former tobacco users in any form
- Patients with regular or heavy alcohol consumption habits
- Those with a known HPV infection
- Prolonged or unprotected sun exposure with poor diet can trigger oral cancer
- History of head and neck cancer in an individual or their family
- Anyone who is 40 years of age or over
Symptoms That Could Be a Sign of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer in its early stages does not cause any discomfort, which is why many patients are unaware of it until it is found during routine dental examination. If you notice any of the following symptoms, which are also present for more than two weeks, you should get it evaluated as soon as possible.
- A mouth sore or ulcer that is not healing
- Persistent and unusual white or red patches appearing on your gums, tongue, or inner cheek
- A lump inside your mouth
Persistent difficulty swallowing or the sensation of something in the throat - Unexplained numbness or tenderness in the mouth, face, or neck
Commonly Asked Questions
What does oral cancer look like in the mouth?
A sore or ulcer in your mouth that doesn’t heal is one of the most common warning signs of oral cancer. Many patients also have a persistent red or white patch on the gums, tongue, or cheeks, or a painless lump inside the mouth that bleeds easily.
How effective is early detection of oral cancer?
When oral cancer is caught early, in most cases it doesn’t require complicated treatment. Also, the survival rate for oral cancer is much higher when it is identified at an early stage.
Book Online Today
Schedule an appointment easily by filling out the online form.
Our front desk staff will contact you soon to confirm your appointment.
Insurance Accepted
We will be glad to file a predetermination for you to verify coverage of any necessary dental treatment. We accept most PPO insurances.
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We are famous for our quality care, but we also work hard to be the most affordable dentist in Phoenix.