What is leukoplasty?

Leukoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of white patches or leukoplakia from the oral cavity. It is a type of surgery that is performed to treat leukoplakia, a white plaque-like lesion that can develop inside the mouth, on the gums, tongue, or the inner lining of the cheeks.

Leukoplasty is typically performed under local anesthesia, and the procedure can be done in a single visit. During the surgery, the surgeon removes the white patches, and the surrounding tissues are typically left untouched. After the surgery, a dressing may be applied to the surgical area, and the patient is advised to abstain from smoking, drinking, and eating hard or spicy foods for several days.

The main benefit of leukoplasty is that it can reduce the risk of leukoplakia turning into cancer. However, it is not always effective, and some cases may require further treatment. Additionally, the surgery may cause some discomfort, and there is a risk of bleeding and infection after the procedure.