Characteristics of an oral and maxillofacial radiology department. Report of the ad hoc Department Characteristics Committee of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is a dynamic and multifaceted discipline that plays a critical role in patient care, the education of general dentists and dental specialists, and the academic health of the dental school. Diagnostic and treatment advances in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), implants trauma and orthognathic surgery, and craniofacial abnormalities depend heavily on conventional and advanced imaging techniques. Oral and maxillofacial radiology contributes to the education of pre- and post-doctoral dental students with respect to biomedical and clinical knowledge, cognitive and psychomotor skills, and the professional and ethical values necessary to properly prescribe, obtain, and interpret radiographs.

Implant imaging. Status, controversies, and new developments.

Imaging for the planning of implant placement, for surveillance of restored fixtures, and for the management of complications is confusing because of the large number of modalities available. Clinicians, however, must recognize that each technique has advantages and limitations. It is essential to consider treatment objectives and patient needs carefully before performing or ordering imaging tests.

Efficacy of dental radiographic practices: options for image receptors, examination selection, and patient selection.

Many technical factors and treatment philosophies affect the way dental radiology is practiced. Some, like minimum tube filtration, are legislated. Others, like proper darkroom techniques, are universally acknowledged as essential.

Temporomandibular joint arthrography following surgical treatment of internal derangements.

Arthrograms of the temporomandibular joint were obtained in 20 symptomatic joints that had previous reconstructive arthroplasty with disk repositioning because of internal derangements. Preoperative arthrograms were available for comparison in 18 joints. Symptoms resulting in a postoperative arthrogram included pain, limited ability to open the mouth, and clicking of the joints.

The use of panoramic radiography in the evaluation of asymptomatic adult dental patients.

This article examines the efficacy of panoramic radiography alone and in combination with intraoral films as part of the "full-mouth" radiographic evaluation of asymptomatic dental patients in the diagnosis of dental caries and periodontal disease. Three full-mouth radiographic surveys--the panoramic alone, the panoramic plus posterior bitewing, and the periapical plus posterior bitewing--are compared. Two forms of measurement--comparative and incremental--were used to identify the radiographic survey with the highest single diagnostic yield when measured against the consensus standard.

A clinical comparison of X-ray films for detection of proximal surface caries.

This clinical study compares the diagnostic yield of Kodak Ektaspeed with the diagnostic yield of Kodak Ultraspeed using a split-mouth experimental design and proximal surface carious lesions as the test objects. Assuming that proximal surface carious lesions are distributed randomly in a given patient and in the population at large, then any difference in the diagnostic quality of either of the films should be disclosed as a difference in the frequency and distribution of lesions identified with either of the films. No statistical difference was observed, which suggests that the two films perform equally well for the diagnostic task of detecting proximal surface carious lesions.

Radiologic considerations in evaluation of radiolucent lesions of the mandible.

Careful attention to technique is of utmost importance in instances in which clinical evidence indicates that the osteolytic or osteogenic margins of a lesion may extend beyond those visible on a conventional radiograph. Procedures such as radionuclide scans should be used to establish the appropriate boundaries for surgical resection in such instances. Although early surgical intervention will usually lead to a definitive histopathologic diagnosis, there is some risk that manipulation will either compromise the validity of later radiological procedure or extend the disease by local dissemination or blood-borne metastases.

Dentigerous cyst with mural ameloblastoma.

A case of a 14-year-old black girl with a lesion that appeared to be a dentigerous cyst is presented. Radiographic appearance, findings of a bone scan and biopsy by aspiration are discussed. Histologic findings showed that the lesion was an ameloblastoma that is believed to have arisen from the dentigerous cyst wall.