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An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless check of your mouth, lips, tongue, and neck for early signs of oral cancer or precancerous changes. It's usually part of your routine dental exam and takes just a few minutes. Finding changes early is the best way to keep them treatable.
An oral cancer screening is a gentle examination of the soft tissues in and around your mouth. We look at your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, the roof and floor of your mouth, and your throat, and we gently feel your neck and jaw for any lumps or changes. The goal is simple: to spot anything unusual early.
It's quick, painless, and usually done as part of your regular checkup, so most people don't even need a separate appointment. Early detection matters, and when changes are found early, they're far more manageable.
A screening is a check, not a diagnosis. If we notice anything that looks unusual, we'll talk it through with you and, when appropriate, recommend monitoring or refer you for further evaluation so you get clear answers.
Regular screening is a smart part of routine care for just about every adult. It's especially important if you:
Note: Oral cancer can affect anyone, including people with none of these risk factors, which is why we include a screening as a routine part of comprehensive care.
These don't necessarily mean anything serious, but it's worth getting checked if you notice:
A sore or ulcer that doesn't heal within about two weeks
A lump or thickening in your mouth, lip, or neck
White or red patches inside your mouth
Ongoing mouth pain, numbness, or tenderness
Difficulty swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck
Unexplained bleeding or a persistent sore throat
Note: If anything like this comes up between visits, let us know. It's always better to have it checked.
Our practice is on the 18th floor at 8 S Michigan Ave, steps from Millennium Park and the heart of the Loop. Since a screening fits right into your routine exam, it's easy to take care of around a busy downtown day.
We welcome patients from across downtown Chicago, including the Loop, River North, South Loop, and West Loop, with convenient access by CTA, Metra at Millennium Station, and nearby parking.
Finds changes when they're most treatable.
The check takes just a few minutes.
Usually included in your routine dental exam.
A simple, reassuring part of caring for your health.
We look after your whole mouth, not just your teeth.
A screening is simple, gentle, and over in just a few minutes.
Comfort note: The screening is painless and needs no numbing, and our comfort menu is always available if it helps you relax.
Good news: an oral cancer screening is typically included as part of your routine dental exam, so for most patients there's no separate cost. We're in-network with most major PPOs and will review your benefits with you.
Our in-house membership plan also includes oral cancer screenings as part of your covered preventive care, and we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry for any treatment beyond routine care.
An oral cancer screening is a powerful first line of defense as it helps us spot suspicious areas early, often before you'd notice anything yourself. But it's important to understand that a screening is not a diagnosis. Only further evaluation, such as a biopsy, can confirm whether an area of concern is actually cancer.
That's why we take a careful, two-part approach: we screen at your regular visits, and we encourage you to watch for any changes between them and tell us right away. If we ever find something that needs a closer look, we'll guide you to the right next step and help coordinate a referral.
We believe great dental care means caring for your whole mouth and your overall health, not just your teeth. A thorough oral cancer screening is part of every comprehensive exam here, and our gentle, attentive team takes the time to be thorough and to answer your questions.
As a woman-owned, family-friendly practice in the heart of the Loop, we pair modern dentistry with genuine, personal care.
Founder & Lead Dentist, Dentistry at Millennium Park.
Last updated: June 2026
Meet Dr. RanganathanIt's a quick, painless check of your mouth, lips, tongue, and neck for early signs of oral cancer or precancerous changes. We look at and gently feel the soft tissues, and it's usually done as part of your routine dental exam.
Not at all. It's completely painless, needs no numbing, and takes just a few minutes. We simply look at and gently feel the tissues in and around your mouth.
For most people, at your routine dental exams. If you have higher risk factors, such as tobacco use, we may recommend screening more often. We'll suggest the right schedule for you.
Usually not. It's typically included as part of your routine dental exam, and our membership plan covers screenings too. We're in-network with most major PPOs and will review your benefits with you.
A screening finds areas of concern early, but it isn't a diagnosis. If we notice anything unusual, we'll explain it clearly and recommend monitoring or refer you for further evaluation, such as a biopsy, to get definitive answers.
At our office on the 18th floor of 8 S Michigan Ave, steps from Millennium Park and the Loop. We welcome patients from across downtown Chicago. Call or text (224) 249-5977 or book online.
An oral cancer screening is a quick, simple part of looking after your health, and it's included in your routine exam with us. Call or text us at (224) 249-5977 or book online, and we'll take great care of you.
We are taking new patients in Chicago! We offer a wide range of dentistry services, including regular dental cleanings and check-ups, fillings and crowns.
