The possibilities of cone-beam computer tomography in the diagnostic of fractures of the mandible within the dental row

Abstract

The aim: To establish the possibilities and advantages of cone-beam tomography in the primary diagnostic of mandibular fractures within the dental row compared with traditional methods of radiation diagnosis. Materials and methods: The research was performed involving of 28 patients who had traumatic injuries of the maxillofacial area. The age of the victims was 18-56 years. The injured people were selected who were examinated by traditional radiological methods of diagnosis in the first hours after injury, and for final diagnostic in hospital were used cone-beam tomography of the mandible. The comparison of the results obtained with the help of traditional X-ray examinations with the data of cone-beam tomography allowed to conduct a comparative analysis of the diagnostic capabilities of these methods and to determine the advantage of the last one. Results: A comparative analysis of the results of the examination of injured people, which were obtained by using of traditional methods and cone-beam tomography of the mandible, shows the diagnostic advantages of the last one, which allows to determine the extent of traumatic injuries of the mandible and identify hidden fractures that were not determined by traditional X-ray methods. Conclusions: For the primary diagnostics of traumatic mandibular injuries, traditional X-ray examinations may be informative, but for complex, combined injuries, as well as fractures that raise doubts,it is advisable to use cone-beam computed tomography. The use of cone-beam computed tomography in mandibular fractures makes it possible to better assess the degree of damage and determine the displacement of fragments.