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Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

oral and maxillofacial surgery

How Often Should I Film?

At routine six-month checkups, a new panoramic radiograph should be taken, and the teeth, jawbones, sinuses, joints, and all surrounding structures should be examined in detail. In addition to routine examinations, radiographs should be taken as frequently as the physician deems appropriate during follow-up treatment (for example, after a cyst removal operation or implant surgery).

Is Panoramic Film Alone Sufficient for Diagnosis?

Panoramic radiography provides general information about all teeth, maxillary and mandibular bones, joints, maxillary sinuses, and surrounding bone tissue in a single image and is generally sufficient for diagnosis. However, periapical radiography, bite-wing radiographs, and 3D CT scans can be performed in the relevant areas when necessary.

What is Tomography (3D Imaging)?

Tomography is a 3D imaging system that allows the examination of soft tissues, jaw bones and the structures within them in the most realistic way with low radiation levels.

Tomography in dentistry:

  • Evaluation of impacted teeth

  • Evaluation of jaw cysts

  • Evaluation of jaw tumors

  • Measuring bone levels in implant surgeries

  • Examination of the existing bone structure before bone augmentation procedures

  • Evaluation of bone marrow inflammation (osteomyelitis)

  • Examination of the bone structure of the temporomandibular joint

  • Evaluation of sinus structures

  • Orthognathic surgery planning

  • It is widely used in many areas such as surgical guide production.

Additional Imaging Methods

Magnetic Resonance (MRI) imaging methods are also used in dentistry practice for temporomandibular joint disorders.

Recently, in dentistry practice, especially in academic studies, Ultrasonographic Imaging Methods have been used to examine superficial muscle structures and salivary glands.

What are Digital Imaging Methods?

In dentistry, diagnosis is crucial to the success of treatment. Radiographic examination is as crucial as clinical examination.

Traditional radiographic examination methods (periapical films, panoramic images) do not always provide sufficient diagnostic information. In such cases, digital imaging methods are used.

Digital imaging methods frequently used in dentistry:

  • 1) 3D Dental Tomographies: Tomography is a 3D imaging system that allows the examination of soft tissues, jaw bones and their structures in the most realistic way with low radiation levels.

  • 2) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body. Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you enter an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily rearranges the hydrogen atoms in your body. MRIs are often used to diagnose diseases or monitor response to treatment. Unlike X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, MRIs do not use radiation. In dentistry, they are most often used to diagnose and treat joint diseases.

  • 3) Ultrasound Imaging (Ultrasound): Sound waves have many applications in technology and medicine. Ultrasound, one of these, is a medical imaging method that uses sound waves to visualize the outlines of tissues and organs within the body. This procedure involves introducing sound waves with a frequency much higher than the human ear can perceive, and then calculating their return time to create an image of the area being examined. In dentistry, it is primarily used for the diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland diseases.

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