ORAL SURGERY AND PATHOLOGY
Oral Surgery treats physical trauma, developmental
defects, oral disease and existing conditions which could create problems
such as with wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth are taken out when:
the teeth are not functional; fillings can not be
placed to treat cavities; the teeth can not be kept clean so cavities
reoccur; there is not enough room for them to grow through the gums; or, there is potential for infection.
Oral Pathology studies diseases of the mouth area.
There are hundreds of diseases which affect the mouth.
Diseases may occur from dental origin or be secondary
to a systemic disease. Systemic diseases which can manifest themselves in
the mouth include scarlet fever, tuberculosis, chicken pox and many
others.
Tumors do occur in the mouth and may be either benign
or malignant. They are usually diagnosed through x-rays or clinical
examination.
