Trends in maxillofacial imaging

Maxillofacial imaging encompasses radiology of the teeth and jaws, including the temporomandibular joints. Modalities used include intra-oral radiographs, panoramic tomography, cephalograms, cone-beam computed tomography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and radionuclide imaging. Common indications for imaging are impacted and supernumerary teeth, dental implants, inflammatory dental disease, and fibro-osseous lesions, cysts, and masses of the jaws. Osteonecrosis of the jaws may follow radiotherapy or the use of bisphosphonates and other drugs. Imaging of the temporomandibular joints and the potential role of imaging in obstructive sleep apnoea are also discussed.