Oral and maxillofacial pathology is that branch of science which deals with the nature of the diseases affecting the oral and adjacent regions, through study of its causes, its processes and its effects, together with the associated alterations of oral structure and function. The practice of oral and maxillofacial pathology shall include the development and application of this knowledge through the use of clinical, microscopic, radiographic, biochemical or other laboratory examinations or procedures as may be required to establish a diagnosis and/or gain other information necessary to maintain the health of the patient, or to correct the result of structural or functional changes produced by alterations from the normal.