Some recommend biopsy if the lesions persists more than 6 weeks after giving up smokeless tobacco use, or if the lesion undergoes a change in appearance (e.g. ulceration, thickening, color changes, especially to speckled white and red or entirely red). Surgical excision may be carried out if the lesion does not resolve. Prognosis
Usually this lesion is reversible if the tobacco habit is stopped completely, even after many years of use. In one report, 98% of lesions disappeared within 2 weeks of stopping tobacco use. The risk of the lesion developing into oral cancer (generally squamous cell carcinoma and its variant verrucous carcinoma) is relatively low. Indeed, veruccous carcinoma is sometimes term "snuff dippers cancer". In most reported cases, malignant transformation has occurring in individuals with a very long history of chewing tobacco or who use dry snuff.Smokeless tobacco use is also accompanied by increased risk of other oral conditions such as dental caries (tooth decay), periodontitis (gum disease), attrition (tooth wear) and staining. Epidemiology
STK is extremely common among smokeless tobacco users. Given the association with smokeless tobacco use, this condition tends to occur in adults. A national USA survey estimated an overall prevalence of 1.5% of all types of smokeless tobacco lesions, with males affected more commonly than females. See also
Stomatitis nicotina
Smokers melanosis

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Extraction might be contraindicated and might be simple or surgical, often depending on the location of the teeth. In some cases, for aesthetic purposes, a surgeon may wish to expose the canine. This may be achieved through open or closed exposure. Studies show no advantage of one method over another. Laser can be used to uncover superficially impacted teeth with no bleeding and quick recovery

References
See also
Impacted wisdom teeth