Oral and maxillofacial pathology

Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a field related to dental and medical science in which diseases, abnormalities, and injuries of the mouth, teeth, face, jaws, and head and neck are treated. This includes conditions of the salivary glands, as well as oral mucosa, temporomandibular joints and related structures. Dentists, in particular, are trained to recognize, diagnose, treat and manage these conditions of the mouth, teeth, face, and jaws. Oral and maxillofacial pathologists work in collaboration with other dental and medical professionals to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, abnormalities, and injuries involving the teeth, face, jaw, and neck. In diagnosing these conditions, they use a variety of imaging technologies, such as cone beam CT, ultrasound, and MRI, and laboratory tests such as biopsies. They also provide preventive systems to patients at risk. Common conditions treated by oral and maxillofacial pathologists include tooth decay, facial trauma, oral tumors, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), salivary gland tumors, physical defects due to facial clefts, and malformations of the jaw. They provide comprehensive oral healthcare management in order to identify and treat diseases and conditions as early as possible, as well as to rehabilitate them when necessary. Oral and maxillofacial pathology includes a number of treatment modalities, such as surgical management of salivary gland tumors and lesions, the treatment of TMJ disorders, the reconstruction of congenital malformations of the jaw, and the removal of impacted third molars. Patients with certain medical conditions may require treatment interventions involving medications and radiation. Oral and maxillofacial pathology is an important field of dental and medical science that is essential to the treatment of mouth, teeth, jaw, and head and neck conditions. It is a vital part of the dental and medical team, and the success of treatment outcomes depends upon the collaboration of the dental and medical team. Oral and maxillofacial pathologists make an important contribution to the comprehensive oral healthcare management of those patients with conditions related to oral and maxillofacial pathology.