From the Guidelines
A CT maxillofacial scan without IV contrast is the recommended imaging modality to examine someone's jaw, as it provides high image resolution with thin-section acquisitions, allowing for the detection of subtle nondisplaced fractures of the facial skeleton 1. This type of scan is particularly useful in diagnosing maxillofacial injuries, including mandibular fractures, and offers superb delineation of osseous and soft-tissue structures.
The use of CT maxillofacial scans is supported by several studies, including one published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, which found that CT is superior to radiography for the evaluation of mandibular fractures 1. Another study published in the same journal found that CT maxillofacial scans are useful in identifying comminution and displacement of mandibular fractures, which are critical findings that can result in a change in surgical management 1.
Some of the key benefits of CT maxillofacial scans include:
- High image resolution with thin-section acquisitions
- Superb delineation of osseous and soft-tissue structures
- Ability to detect subtle nondisplaced fractures of the facial skeleton
- Useful in diagnosing maxillofacial injuries, including mandibular fractures
- Provides multiplanar and 3-D image reconstructions, allowing for better characterization of complex fractures
It's worth noting that other imaging modalities, such as radiography, may not be as effective in evaluating the jaw and surrounding structures. For example, one study found that radiologists missed 12% of maxillofacial fractures on radiographs compared with CT 1.
Overall, CT maxillofacial scans without IV contrast are the preferred imaging modality for examining the jaw, due to their high image resolution, ability to detect subtle fractures, and usefulness in diagnosing maxillofacial injuries 1.
From the Research
Types of CT Scans for Jaw Examination
To examine someone's jaw, the following types of Computed Tomography (CT) scans are recommended:
- Dental CT scan: This type of scan is specifically designed to evaluate the jaw and surrounding tissues 2, 3, 4.
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan: This scan is an alternative to traditional CT scans and is suitable for craniomaxillofacial indications, including jaw examination 5.
- 64-Slice CT scanner: This type of scanner can be used to examine the jaw, but it may produce more beam hardening artifacts compared to CBCT scanners 5.
Characteristics of CT Scans for Jaw Examination
The characteristics of CT scans for jaw examination include:
- High-resolution imaging: Dental CT scans can provide high-resolution images of the jaw and surrounding tissues 2, 4.
- Reformatting capabilities: Dental CT scans can be reformatted to provide multiple panoramic and cross-sectional views of the jaw 2, 3.
- Artifact reduction: CBCT scanners can reduce beam hardening artifacts caused by metallic restorations in the oral cavity 5.
Advantages of CT Scans for Jaw Examination
The advantages of CT scans for jaw examination include:
- Improved visualization: CT scans can provide better visualization of the jaw and surrounding tissues compared to conventional radiographs 2, 4.
- Accurate diagnosis: CT scans can help diagnose dental-associated diseases of the jaws and detect fractures and other injuries 2, 4, 6.
- Pre-surgical planning: CT scans can be used to plan dental implant placement and other surgical procedures 2, 4.