At Pitt Dental Medicine Faculty Practice, our Diagnostic Sciences team helps find the cause of problems in your mouth, teeth, jaws and face. Every specialist is a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. That means you get a specialist's full attention, a diagnosis grounded in the latest research and fast, reliable answers. We also keep you and your dentist or doctor informed at every step.
Why Choose Pitt Dental Medicine Faculty Practice for Diagnostic Sciences?
- A team, not a single specialist: Unlike a stand-alone imaging center or lab, our oral medicine specialists work together.
- Teaching faculty: Every specialist also teaches and does research at Pitt and holds their work to an academic standard.
- Second opinions built in: Your results can be reviewed by more than one expert.
- Up-to-date care: Every diagnosis is checked against the latest research.
Oral Radiology (Dental Imaging)
Our radiologists take and read dental X-rays and 3D scans (called CBCT). These give you and your dentist a clear picture of your teeth, jaws and surrounding areas.
- 3D scans and X-rays: We take scans in our office, from a small area up to a full view of your jaw and face.
- Reading outside scans: We can quickly read scans taken at another dental office.
- Detailed reports: Your dentist receives a report with labeled images, shared securely online.
- Treatment planning: Scans help plan dental implants, wisdom tooth removal and complex root canals.
- Other evaluations: Injuries, unexpected findings on a scan, basic sleep apnea screening and teeth that haven't come in properly (impacted teeth).
Practice Details
- Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists and two radiology technologists.
- Scans are read by a board-certified radiologist with more than 20 years of experience.
- Our radiologists are available to answer any imaging question.
Oral Pathology (Diagnosing Mouth and Jaw Conditions)
Our oral pathologists diagnose and treat diseases of the mouth, jaws and face. When a dentist or doctor removes a small tissue sample (a biopsy), our lab examines it to find out exactly what it is.
- Biopsy testing: We test tissue samples and can give second opinions on samples tested by other labs.
- Patient visits: If you have a lump, a growth, an ulcer or a sore that won't heal, you can schedule a visit with one of our pathologists. They can also manage conditions that need ongoing care.
- Guidance for your dentist: Our pathologists advise on diagnosis, treatment and referrals.
Practice Details
- Four board-certified oral pathologists, supported by a lab administrator. All are Pitt Dental Medicine faculty members who teach dental and dental hygiene students and train specialists in oral pathology.
- Advanced lab testing, plus access to UPMC specialists in bone, skin, head and neck, blood and soft tissue conditions.
Oral Medicine (Nonsurgical Care for Complex Conditions)
Our oral medicine specialist treats long-term and complex conditions of the mouth, jaw and face without surgery.
- Mouth and gum conditions: Diagnosis, biopsy and treatment of long-lasting sores, autoimmune conditions and infections.
- Facial pain: Care for ongoing facial pain, burning mouth syndrome and nerve-related pain.
- Jaw joint problems (TMJ/TMD): Nonsurgical treatment for jaw joint and jaw muscle pain.
- Cancer support: Mouth care before and after radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy for head and neck cancers.
- Patients with complex health needs: Care for patients with serious medical conditions, organ transplants or bleeding disorders.
Practice Details
- One board-certified oral medicine specialist, based at UPMC Montefiore.
- Works side by side with oral surgeons and maxillofacial prosthodontists on complex cases.
- Your referring provider receives regular progress updates.
For Referring Providers
- CBCT capture and reporting at any field of view, plus a reporting-only service for externally captured CBCT scans and 2D imaging.
- Structured reports with annotated images, DICOM files and image transfer to preferred labs for surgical guide planning and printing, all shared through HIPAA-compliant cloud access.
- Biopsy processing and interpretation, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, direct immunofluorescence and molecular studies.
- On request: formalin biopsy containers, submission forms, prepaid UPS mailers and Michel's solution for direct immunofluorescence studies.
To learn more, schedule an appointment, or make a referral, please contact the Pitt Dental Medicine Faculty Practice at +1-412-648-9100.
