Oral Pathology Flashcards
Definition of Oral Pathology
Specialty of dentistry and pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of the diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research, diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical or other examinations, and management of patients.
How is a diagnosis made?
- Gather information
- Eight distinct diagnostic categories
- Final Diagnosis
The Diagnostic Process (8)
1) Clinical
2) Radiographic
3) Historical
4) Laboratory
5) Microscopic
6) Surgical
7) Therapeutic
8) Differential
Clinical Diagnosis
Diagnosis is derived from the clinical appearance and palpation of the lesion. It is based on color, shape, location, and history of the lesion.
Radiographic Diagnosis
Radiographs provides sufficient information for diagnosis based on lesions found in hard tissue.
Historical Diagnosis
Personal, family, past and present medical and dental histories, history of drug ingestion, and history of the presenting disease or lesion provides information for diagnosis.
Laboratory Diagnosis
Lab tests, including blood chemistries and urinalysis, can provide conclusive information for a definitive diagnosis.
Microscopic (histologic) Diagnosis
Microscopic evaluation of biopsy specimen taken from the lesion is often main component of the definitive diagnosis.
Surgical Diagnosis
Surgical intervention provides conclusive evidence of the diagnosis when the lesion is opened.
Therapeutic Diagnosis
Prescribing therapeutic drugs and observing the results based on clinical and historical information.
Differential Diagnosis
A list of possible diseases or lesions that fit the information derived from evaluation of patient. Use to treat patient correctly and reach goal of obtaining the correct diagnosis.
How to begin diagnosing…
Understand the NORMAL basic and dental sciences, such as human anatomy and physiology, histology, and dental anatomy to know how the findings deviate (abnormal).
What is the key to maintaining oral health?
Observation. The head, neck, and oral cavity are areas that can be easily viewed.
Describe the routine head, neck, and oral cavity examination procedure
- soft tissue examination
- move tongue around in mouth
- check ears, neck, glands, lip
Clinical symptoms
described by the patient
Clinical signs
described by the examiner
Examples of clinical symptoms
- pain
- throbbing pain and ache
- pressure pain
- heat
- chill
- sweating
Macule
Area that is distinguished by a different color than surrounding tissue. It is flat and does not produce above surface. (e.g. freckles)
Papule
Small circumscribed lesion usually less than 1 cm in diameter that is elevated or protrudes above the surface of normal surrounding tissue.
Nodule
A palpable solid lesion up to 1 cm in diameter found in soft tissue. It can occur above, level with, or beneath the skin or mucosal surfaces.
Tumor
a solid, raised mass that is larger than 1 cm in diameter and depth. Term can also describe a mass consisting of neoplastic cells.
Exophytic
An outwardly growing lesion.
Pedunculated
Attached by a stem-like or stalk base similar to that of a mushroom.
Sessile
Describing the base of a lesion that is flat or broad like instead of stem like. (Malignant cancer)
