Diagnosis and Biopsy
- Thorough medical, dental, social, and psychological history is essential for diagnosis.
- Clinical investigation of extra-oral and intra-oral tissues is necessary.
- Differential diagnosis helps determine further investigations needed.
- Screening tests, imaging, and histopathology are used for diagnosis.
- Imaging techniques include radiographs, CBCT, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.
- Biopsy is performed when clinical presentation or imaging studies are inconclusive.
- It involves the surgical removal of tissue for microscopic examination.
- Biopsies can be done under local anesthesia or image guidance.
- Types of biopsies used include excisional, incisional, and exfoliative cytology.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsies involve tissues such as mucosa, bone, and lymph nodes.

Diseases
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology affects various tissues in the head region.
- Different diseases have different outcomes and affect the mouth, jaws, and orofacial skin.
- Pathologies include congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious diseases.
- Examples of diseases are odontogenic cysts, oral cancer, and salivary gland disorders.
- The list of pathologies is extensive and not exhaustive.

Congenital Conditions
- Malocclusion is a common congenital disorder affecting the alignment of teeth.
- Cleft lip and palate is a multi-factorial disorder occurring in 1 in 500-1000 live births.
- People with cleft lip and palate may experience social and psychological challenges.
- Surgical reconstruction aims to improve social acceptance in cleft patients.
- Macroglossia is tongue enlargement, which can have various causes and consequences.
- Ankyloglossia, Stafne defect, Torus palatinus, Torus mandibularis, and Eagle syndrome are other congenital conditions.

Acquired Conditions
- Vascular, infective, bacterial, periodontal, and scarlet fever are examples of acquired conditions.
- Viral infections include herpes simplex, mumps, recurrent infections, and infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Fungal infections include oral candidiasis and other fungal infections in the mouth.
- Traumatic conditions can be caused by chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical trauma.
- Autoimmune conditions include Sjögren syndrome, which has different types and associated complications.
- Metabolic conditions include inflammatory conditions, angioedema, neurological disorders, and neoplastic conditions like oral cancer.

Specialty and Geographic Variation
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a specialty in dentistry and pathology.
- Specialists diagnose and study diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.
- Oral pathology is closely allied with oral and maxillofacial surgery and oral medicine.
- Biopsies are taken for microscopic evaluation by pathologists.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathologists may also have responsibilities in forensic odontology.
- In the UK, there are approximately 30 consultant oral and maxillofacial pathologists.
- Dental degree is mandatory, but a medical degree is not required.
- Many oral and maxillofacial pathologists in the UK are clinical academics.
- They are employed by dental or medical schools and work at university hospital departments.