What is oral pathology?
Oral pathology is the specialty of studying diseases affecting the oral cavity and around the jaw regions. It deals with the nature, identification and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial (jaw/TMJ and surrounding) regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases. A new name for this discipline, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, was chosen to acknowledge expertise in diseases of tissues in the oral cavity and the immediate surroundings.
There are at least 300 diseases that occur in and around the mouth. Many are unique to the oral regions, some are similar to diseases seen elsewhere in the body, and still others spread to the oral region from other parts of the body. Many conditions can cause serious consequences if not recognized, classified, and treated early.
How can oral pathologists help the patients?
A well-trained oral pathologist serves you as the “physician of the mouth”, who integrates medicine and dentistry to promote optimal healthy living.
Practitioners of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology specialize in the clinical and microscopic diagnosis, as well as the treatment of diseases of the oral and maxillofacial (jaw/TMJ) regions.
Oral pathologists provide diagnosis and management in clinical practice (clinical oral pathology or oral medicine), and operate biopsy services for the dental and medical professions (laboratory services).
Oral and maxillofacial pathologists complete three years of intensive advanced education in their specialty after receiving a degree in dentistry. They continue their professional development through annual seminars and voluntary compliance in continuing competency assurance programs. Their unique interpretive skills and expertise focus on the oral and maxillofacial (jaw/TMJ) regions.
Why it is so difficult to diagnose or treat some of the mouth or jaw problems?
The reason for much of the confusion about some challenging conditions in the mouth or around the jaw areas, as well as poor treatment choices, is a lack of a definitive diagnosis, as well as a failure to identify all the causes of the symptoms.
A physician may write a prescription, a chiropractor will try manipulation, and a dentist may recommend some treatment on the teeth. In other words, in too many cases, the treatment is determined by the type of doctor that the patient chooses to go to for help.
The diseases of the oral and maxillofacial regions including TMJ are a complicated and not well-recognized area of health care. These problems are as confusing for doctors as they are for patients. There can be a multitude of causes for what appears to be the same condition. The challenge, therefore, is to establish not just a proper diagnosis, but also to identify all the potential causes or contributing factors that brought about the disorder or symptoms. Then, it can be treated properly.