FACIAL PATHOLOGY

Facial Pathology

Oral maxillofacial surgery is the dental specialty that manages the underlying conditions, diseases, defects and injuries causing and/or contributing to functional and esthetic problems in the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Closely linked to oral maxillofacial surgery, oral maxillofacial pathology focuses on diagnosing and understanding the nature of diseases and abnormal conditions (pathology) in the oral and facial region.

Pathological oral maxillofacial conditions that may benefit from corrective jaw surgery include:

• Developmental Defects of the Oral and Maxillofacial Region
• Abnormalities of Teeth
• Pulpal and Periapical Disease
• Facial injury or birth defects
• Periodontal Diseases
• Bacterial Infections
• Fungal and Protozoal Diseases
• Viral Infections
• Physical and Chemical Injuries
• Allergies and Immunologic Diseases
• Epithelial Pathology
• Salivary Gland Pathology
• Soft Tissue Tumors
• Hematologic Disorders
• Bone Pathology
• Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors
• Dermatologic Diseases
• Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases
• Facial Pain and Neuromuscular Diseases
• Forensic Dentistry



Appendix:
Differential Diagnosis of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases
Part 1: Mucosal and Soft Tissue Pathology: Color Changes
Part 2: Mucosal and Soft Tissue Pathology: Surface Alterations
Part 3: Mucosal and Soft Tissue Pathology: Masses or Enlargements
Part 4: Radiographic Pathology
Part 5: Pathology of Teet