General

When visiting a dentist or doing an oral examination, the discovery of a cyst or sore can be upsetting. If this happens to you, make an appointment with an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. Not all oral pathologies are cancerous, but a surgeon will be able to walk you through your next steps. If left untreated, some noncancerous pathologies can become cancerous down the road, or cause other oral health issues. 

Oral Pathology 

A pathology itself is the study of diseases and their causes. Oral Pathology is the branch of dentistry that deals with the study, diagnosis and management of diseases and conditions affecting the mouth and surrounding oral structures. This can include a wide range of conditions, including oral cancers, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, developmental abnormalities, and other conditions that might affect the oral cavity, jaws, salivary glands, or other related structures. 

Oral pathology diagnoses and plans treatment for these conditions using different techniques such as biopsies, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. 

Pathologies can also be discovered by doing a self-exam and looking for symptoms of oral cancer. Visit  Here to see possible symptoms of oral cancer.

While many pathologies can be benign, they can still increase the risk of cancer when going untreated. 

Oral Cancer

While certain oral pathologies can be precursors to cancer, you cannot rely on a diagnosis without a biopsy of the tissue. When discovering an abnormality or symptom of pathology, this is always your first step. Steps for a biopsy include numbing the area, removing a small piece of tissue and sending it to a lab to be tested. A specialist will use a microscope to examine the tissue for any signs of cancer cells.

There are 5 main types of oral cancers. These can all develop in various forms, affecting different parts of the mouth and oral cavity (inside the mouth or cancers of the lips). Each type of cancer is also named for the location it gets found in.

• Oral and oropharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
• Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Salivary gland cancer

To prevent issues with oral pathology or cancer, please keep an eye out for any symptoms you may develop. If you have any suspicious, please see an OMS as soon as you can. Get regular dental cleaning so your Dentist is able to keep an eye out for you as well. 

To make a pathology appointment please visit our Contact Us page.

Knowing when to visit a dentist is easy, but Oral Surgeons have a large range of specialty within the teeth world. Some dentists and oral surgeons offer similar services, but the trick to picking between them is choosing the provider who is most skilled and prepared to help you with your needs. Oral Surgeons are dental specialists that have the ability diagnose and surgically treat concerns related to your mouth, jaw and other oral structures. 

Let’s talk about the different training, education, and services between dentists and oral surgeons. 

Training

Both a general dentist and oral and maxillofacial surgeons attend dental school, but oral and maxillofacial surgeons have 4-6 years of additional specialty training beyond dental school. Some oral surgeons attend an integrated MD program where they obtain their MD (Medical Doctorate) in addition to their dental degree. Medical school is not required, but a four year hospital based residency training program is. 

This education teaches Oral Surgeons to treat both dental and medical issues. They are surgeons of the head, face, and neck, and are not limited to only treating dental procedures like other specialties. Additionally, surgeons who hold a Doctor of Medicine degree are able to diagnose and provide medical clearance for some health risk patients without the need of collaborating with other doctors. 

An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) performs surgeries on the mouth, jaw and face. They are trained to diagnose issues and perform invasive procedures for possible treatment solutions.

Specific trainings include:

• Anesthesia training
• General surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Internal medicine
• Critical care medicine
• Pathology

Hands-on training include:

• Hospital settings
• Outpatient surgery centers
• Ambulatory surgery facilities
• Private offices

Education and Certifications

To recap, both Dentists and Oral Surgeons attend either a DDS or DMD program for dental school. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery; DMD can stand for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine. The Commision on Dental Accreditation (CODA) sets standards that are followed throughout the United States in both academic and clinical training of students. All DDS and DMD dental graduates must pass the same National Dental Board exams. 

OMS then have the option to go into Medical school, then the 4 year residency training, or just the residency training. After this training, Surgeons have the option to become board-certified by The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). This is a rigorous certification process that includes a maintenance program. 

For more information regarding this process, visit this site from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery:

https://www.aboms.org/who-we-are/patient-information

Services

Visiting your dentist twice a year ensures optimal health of both your teeth and gums. X-rays and exams with your dentist can provide insight into any issues you may be having that you can’t feel or see. Specific procedures dentists usually offer include:

• General Dentistry
  • Preventative cleanings
  • Exams looking for decay or gum disease
  • Flouride Treatments
  • Extractions
  • Fillings
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Crowns
  • Dentures
  • Implants
  • Tooth Shaping
  • Veneers

Additionally, other specialties of Dentistry offer additional procedures described below: 

Orthodontists are trained to diagnose, prevent, intercept, guide and correct your bite. They study for 2-3 years after dental school to focus on ensuring that your teeth are straight and properly meet when you close your jaw. This can be done through braces, aligners, and even jaw corrective surgery done by an oral surgeon. 

Endodontists focus on the tissues and dental pulp (connective tissue) surrounding the roots of your teeth. Often referred to as a root canal treatment, an endodontist specializes in saving your teeth. In two years of education past dental school, Endodontists study root canal treatment, endodontic surgery, and special procedures to save teeth after traumatic dental injuries. If an Endodontist is unable to save a tooth, they will have an Oral Surgeon remove it instead.

Periodontistry is the exclusive focus of the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth. This requires an additional 3 years of training after dental school to study prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases. 

Oral surgery refers to more advanced concerns within your teeth, gums, jaws, and other oral structures. 

At Mid-State Oral Surgery, we offer:

• Extractions/Wisdom Teeth
• Dentoalveolar Surgery
• Anesthesia Services
• Implant/Bone Grafting 
• TMJ Services
• Pathology/Reconstruction of the Head and Neck
• Facial Trauma
• Jaw Corrective Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)
• Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures