Oral and Jaw Pathology
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Oral and Jaw Pathology
Oral and jaw pathology, also known as oral and maxillofacial pathology, refers to the diseases of the mouth, jaws and surrounding structures including the salivary glands, jaw muscles, and perioral skin.
There are many pathological conditions that affect the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. This can range from soft tissue lumps and bumps, ulcers or white patches on the lips, cheeks, tongue and gums, to bony swellings, cysts or tumours in the jaw bones or even oral cancer.
If you suspect that you have something abnormal in your mouth, make an appointment for a consultation with our specialist Dr Andrew Ow today.
Common Conditions Diagnosed by Oral and Jaw Pathology
Oral pathologists specialise in recognising warning signs that may suggest a particular oral condition that needs to be treated. Early screening ensures that you can receive the proper treatment for whatever ails you or prevents an underlying condition from worsening.
Oral Cancer
Early screening is your best defence against oral (or mouth) cancer, whose symptoms generally include sores on your lips or mouth that do not seem to heal, white or reddish patches inside your mouth, persistent mouth pain, and loose teeth. Oral cancers typically start as a result of unnatural cellular changes caused by a mutation; these abnormal cells will rapidly and uncontrollably grow and multiply, which can eventually form a tumour. These cancerous cells can gradually spread to your head, neck, and other parts of your body, causing further harm to your health.
Cold Sores
Also known as fever blisters, cold sores manifest as fluid-filled blisters on your lips, formed due to an infection by the herpes simplex virus. You may feel a tingling or burning sensation sometime before the blisters form and may even appear on your nose, cheeks or mouth. Multiple blisters may form and even merge before bursting, leaving shallow open sores that ooze and eventually form a scab. Cold sores may take 2 to 3 weeks to heal but can return at a reduced intensity.
Mouth Infections
Oral pathologists can also detect other types of mouth infections, including candidiasis (also known as thrush), a fungal infection caused by Candida yeast; dental cavities; gingivitis, characterised by irritation, redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums; and periodontitis, a more severe gum infection.
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD)
HFMD is a contagious viral infection characterised by sores on the tongue, gums, and inner lining of the mouth, as well as rashes on the skin and the soles of the feet. The sores in your mouth can also form in your throat, making swallowing food or drinking fluids difficult. Thankfully, though, HFMD will generally go away on its own after seven to ten days, so treatment is usually not needed.
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
With BMS, you may experience a burning sensation on your tongue, roof of your mouth, or lips, as if you drank a hot drink. Primary BMS usually occurs without any warning, while secondary BMS occurs due to an underlying condition, such as an oral condition; treating the underlying condition will also help address BMS as well.
click here to see Dr Andrew Ow’s publications on orthognathic surgery
- Shen Y, Sun J, Li J, Ow A Long-term results of partial double barrel vascularized fibula graft in symphysis for large mandibular reconstruction, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(4): 983-91, 2012
- Ma CY, Zhang CP, Zhong LP, Pan HY, Chen WT, Wang LZ, Ow A, Ji T, Han W Decreased expression of profilin 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its clincopathological implications, Oncology Report, 26(4):813-23, 2011
- Ji T, Ma CY, Ow A, Wang LZ, Sun J, Zhang CP Synovial sarcoma involving skull base – A retrospective analysis of diagnosis and treatment of 21 cases in one institution, Oral Oncology, 47(7):671-6, 2011
- Yang X, Ow A, Zhang CP, Wang LZ, Yang WJ, Hu YJ, Zhong LP Clinical analysis of 120 cases of intraoral lymphoepithelial cyst, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology Oral Radiology Endodontology, 113(4):448-52, 2012
- Zhong LP, Ow A, Yang WJ, Hu YJ, Wang LZ, Zhang CP Surgical management of solitary venous malformation in the midcheek region, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology Oral Radiology Endodontology, 114(2):160-6, 2012
- CY Ma, T Ji, YQ Wu, A Ow A jugulotympanic paraganglioma with craniocervical extension, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(2):221-4, 2012
- Min R, Siyi L, Wenjun Y, Shengwen L, Ow A, Lizheng W, Chenping Z Toll-like receptor-9 agonists increase cyclin D1 expression partly through activation of activator protein-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, Cancer Science, 103(11):1938-45, 2012
- Min R, Siyi L, Wenjun Y, Ow A, Lizheng W, Minjun D, Chenping Z Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis: a preliminary study of 62 cases, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(8):952-7, 2012
- Chenping Z, Min R, Liqun X, Yongjie H, Wenjun Y, Tong J, Xingzhou Q, Siyi L, Ow A, Jizhuang M, Yiqun W Dental implant distractor combined with free fibular flap: a new design for simultaneous functional mandibular reconstruction, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(11):2687-700, 2012
- Shen Y, Sun J, Li J, Li MM, Huang W, Ow A Special considerations in virtual surgical planning for secondary accurate maxillary reconstruction with vascularised fibula osteomyocutaneous flap, Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 65(7):893-902, 2012
- Ma CY, Ji T, Ow A, Zhang CP, Sun J, Zhou XH, Wang LZ, Sun KD, Han W Surgical site infection in elderly oral cancer patients: is the evaluation of comorbid conditions helpful in the identification of high-risk ones?, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(10):2445-52, 2012
- Shen Y, Guo XH, Sun J, Li J, Shi J, Huang W, Ow A Double-barrel vascularised fibula graft in mandibular reconstruction: a 10-year experience with an algorithm, Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 66(3):364-71, 2013
- Liu S, Ow A, Ruan M, Yang W, Zhang C, Wang L, Zhang C Prognostic factors in primary salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma: an analysis of 376 cases in an Eastern Chinese population International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(6): 667-673, 2014
- Ma C, Ow A, Shan OH, Wu Y, Zhang C, Sun J, Ji T, Pingarron Martin L, Wang L Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours in the head and neck region: retrospective analysis of clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(8):924-932, 2014
- Ow A, Pienkowski L, Tan W, Mandibular reconstruction using a custom-made titanium prosthesis: A case report on the use of Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM/CAM) Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction, 9(3): 246-250, 2016
- Y Shen, J Li, A Ow, L Wang, M Li, J Sun Acceptable clinical outcomes and recommended reconstructive strategies of secondary maxillary reconstruction with vascularised fibula osteomyocutaneous flap: a retrospective analysis; Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 70(3): 341-351, 2017
- N Han, Z Zhang, SW Liu, A Ow, M Ruan, WJ Yang, CP Zhang Increased tumour-infiltrating plasmacytoid dentritic cells predicts poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma Archives of Oral Biology, 78:129-134, 2017
- Shen Y, Sun J, Li J, Ow A Long-term results of partial double barrel vascularized fibula graft in symphysis for large mandibular reconstruction, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(4): 983-91, 2012
- Ma CY, Zhang CP, Zhong LP, Pan HY, Chen WT, Wang LZ, Ow A, Ji T, Han W Decreased expression of profilin 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its clincopathological implications, Oncology Report, 26(4):813-23, 2011
- Ji T, Ma CY, Ow A, Wang LZ, Sun J, Zhang CP Synovial sarcoma involving skull base – A retrospective analysis of diagnosis and treatment of 21 cases in one institution, Oral Oncology, 47(7):671-6, 2011
- Yang X, Ow A, Zhang CP, Wang LZ, Yang WJ, Hu YJ, Zhong LP Clinical analysis of 120 cases of intraoral lymphoepithelial cyst, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology Oral Radiology Endodontology, 113(4):448-52, 2012
- Zhong LP, Ow A, Yang WJ, Hu YJ, Wang LZ, Zhang CP Surgical management of solitary venous malformation in the midcheek region, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology Oral Radiology Endodontology, 114(2):160-6, 2012
- CY Ma, T Ji, YQ Wu, A Ow A jugulotympanic paraganglioma with craniocervical extension, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(2):221-4, 2012
- Min R, Siyi L, Wenjun Y, Shengwen L, Ow A, Lizheng W, Chenping Z Toll-like receptor-9 agonists increase cyclin D1 expression partly through activation of activator protein-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, Cancer Science, 103(11):1938-45, 2012
- Min R, Siyi L, Wenjun Y, Ow A, Lizheng W, Minjun D, Chenping Z Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis: a preliminary study of 62 cases, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(8):952-7, 2012
- Chenping Z, Min R, Liqun X, Yongjie H, Wenjun Y, Tong J, Xingzhou Q, Siyi L, Ow A, Jizhuang M, Yiqun W Dental implant distractor combined with free fibular flap: a new design for simultaneous functional mandibular reconstruction, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(11):2687-700, 2012
- Shen Y, Sun J, Li J, Li MM, Huang W, Ow A Special considerations in virtual surgical planning for secondary accurate maxillary reconstruction with vascularised fibula osteomyocutaneous flap, Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 65(7):893-902, 2012
- Ma CY, Ji T, Ow A, Zhang CP, Sun J, Zhou XH, Wang LZ, Sun KD, Han W Surgical site infection in elderly oral cancer patients: is the evaluation of comorbid conditions helpful in the identification of high-risk ones?, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 70(10):2445-52, 2012
- Shen Y, Guo XH, Sun J, Li J, Shi J, Huang W, Ow A Double-barrel vascularised fibula graft in mandibular reconstruction: a 10-year experience with an algorithm, Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 66(3):364-71, 2013
- Liu S, Ow A, Ruan M, Yang W, Zhang C, Wang L, Zhang C Prognostic factors in primary salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma: an analysis of 376 cases in an Eastern Chinese population International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(6): 667-673, 2014
- Ma C, Ow A, Shan OH, Wu Y, Zhang C, Sun J, Ji T, Pingarron Martin L, Wang L Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours in the head and neck region: retrospective analysis of clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(8):924-932, 2014
- Ow A, Pienkowski L, Tan W, Mandibular reconstruction using a custom-made titanium prosthesis: A case report on the use of Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM/CAM) Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction, 9(3): 246-250, 2016
- Y Shen, J Li, A Ow, L Wang, M Li, J Sun Acceptable clinical outcomes and recommended reconstructive strategies of secondary maxillary reconstruction with vascularised fibula osteomyocutaneous flap: a retrospective analysis; Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 70(3): 341-351, 2017
- N Han, Z Zhang, SW Liu, A Ow, M Ruan, WJ Yang, CP Zhang Increased tumour-infiltrating plasmacytoid dentritic cells predicts poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma Archives of Oral Biology, 78:129-134, 2017
The Consultation Process
1. Initial Assessment
During the consultation, you will meet one of our dental professionals, who will review your health history, discuss your oral condition, and ask other questions to accurately diagnose your underlying problem(s). If you happen to have any questions or doubts, we will also be here to answer them as best as we can.
2. Imaging Tests
Additional imaging tests, including X-rays, may be ordered to examine your mouth, neck, and jaw further. These images can accurately determine if there may be damage, defects or a disorder in the affected area, thereby informing the treatment plan.
3. Laboratory Tests
Our oral pathologists will perform additional laboratory tests, such as blood tests, to help obtain a more accurate diagnosis and differentiate some oral conditions from others. This step will also be necessary to ensure your treatment goes smoothly.
4. Further Consultation on Treatment
With the results of the imaging and lab tests, we will brief you on the appropriate treatment plan based on said results to ensure you can make a swift recovery with our medical advice and expertise.
5. Treatment Phase
Treatment may involve a multidisciplinary approach to ensure your oral and any related conditions are treated and managed effectively, improving recovery outcomes.
Essential Dos and Don’ts
- Be sure to inform your doctor about how you feel, where you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, and any relevant information to help inform your treatment plan accordingly.
- Follow your doctor’s advice at all times to ensure your treatment proceeds smoothly.
- Regular oral health screenings are recommended to monitor your oral health; a yearly checkup is an excellent frequency.
- You may need to fast for a few hours before going for any lab tests to ensure accurate results. In the meantime, you can still drink water to stay hydrated.
- Do not leave out critical details about your condition that can help your treatment. Try to provide as much as possible based on what you are feeling.
Contact Us
- Location
101 Irrawaddy Road #11-05
Royal Square Medical Centre
Singapore 329565
- Contact Details
Number: +65 6276 7276
Email: enquiries@aomfsurgery.com
- Working Hours
Monday to Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.30 PM
Saturday: 9.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
