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 anaesthesia 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.