What services do oral and maxillofacial pathologists provide?
A Surgical Oral Pathology Many oral pathologists participate in oral and maxillofacial biopsy services. In this setting, the oral pathologists perform the microscopic interpretation of biopsies from the oral and maxillofacial area submitted by dentists, dental specialists and physicians. Oral pathologists are uniquely trained to diagnose biopsy specimens removed from the jawbones, oral soft tissues, and perioral skin, since they are the only pathologists who have the comprehensive and highly specialized training in both dentistry and pathology which that facilitates their understanding of the particular characteristics of oral and maxillofacial disease. For example, an awareness of the embryological processes of odontogenesis is essential for the accurate diagnosis of odontogenic tumors of the jawbones, while knowledge of the embryologic development of the maxillofacial processes is essential for proper diagnosis of fissural cysts. In addition, there are many inflammatory conditions un
