OMICS Journal of Radiology
Open Access

Dentistry’s oral and maxillofacial radiology may be a subspecialty that focuses on the collection and interpretation of diagnostic imaging for the purpose of examining dental and craniofacial structures. To put it more succinctly, it is the specialty of taking X-ray, CT, or MRI scans and then examining the results to determine a patient’s diagnosis and overall treatment plan for their oral health.

The American Dental Association recognizes oral and maxillofacial radiology as one of nine dental specialties. Becoming an oral and maxillofacial radiologist requires a lot of hard work. After earning a dental degree, one must apply for and complete a postgraduate coaching course, which typically lasts between two and four years. They will be prepared on all parts of radiation material science, radiation science, radiation security, patho-physiology of sickness, the understanding of symptomatic pictures and thusly the execution of a consideration plan upheld those radiographic pictures. They must pass the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology examination once they are finished [1].

Oral Medicine and Radiology may be a subfield of dentistry that focuses on oral and surrounding structure-related diseases, systemic diseases’ oral manifestations, and medically compromised patients’ oral and dental care. The use of X-rays (radiographic imaging) to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, face, and jaw (the maxillofacial region) may be the focus of the dental specialty known as oral maxillofacial radiology (OMR). There are a number of coaching levels for oral and maxillofacial radiologists, including: Degree programs (three years), certificate programs (two to two and a half years), and PhD programs (less than five years).

X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and CBCT scans are among the diagnostic tools used to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck in oral and maxillofacial radiology, which is the specialty of dentistry and therefore the field of radiology [2].

Our oral and maxillofacial radiologists look for conditions that affect those areas of the body in radiographic images and make interpretations of those images (Figure 1).

Figure 1: X-ray imaging of oral and maxillofacial.

Diagnostic and treatment planning both benefit greatly from radiographic examinations. Even though the majority of oral and maxillofacial radiologists do not perform invasive procedures, they still play a crucial role in healthcare. Dento-alveolar surgery, maxillofacial trauma, pathology of the head and neck (both benign and malignant), harelip and palate, bone grafting, facial deformity correction, TMJ surgery, craniofacial surgery, and aesthetic facial surgery are all performed by the specialists are equipped with the knowledge to treat patients with diverse and complex problems within a well-defined anatomical area, such as dento-alveolar surgery and facial fractures. Available to assist emergency dental professionals all oral and facial traumas, oral and facial cancers, exocrine gland disease, mandibular joint disorders, and surgical management of complex prosthodontics issues are all managed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also manage all congenital craniofacial deformities, including the full range of treatments for the harelip and palate.

1. Ludlow JB, Ivanovic M (2008) Comparative dosimetry of dental CBCT devices and 64-slice CT for oral and maxillofacial radiology. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 106: 106-114.

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2. Shintaku WH, Venturin JS, Langlais RP, Clark GT (2010) Imaging modalities to access bony tumors and hyperplasic reactions of the temporomandibular joint. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 68: 1911-1921.

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