Maxillofacial imaging in the aid of the clinician

The rapidly changing field of maxillofacial diagnostic imaging provides the clinician with tools for superior diagnostic capabilities and improved treatment planning improving and thus patient's outcome. There are currently growing number of imaging modalities available in the maxillofacial region, of which a choice must be made according to the least invasive and the most diagnostic option. The introduction of Cone-Beam-Computerized Tomography (CBCT) allows for 3-dimensional imaging volume with improved spatial resolution, along with increased responsibilities of the referring clinician. As various papers showed numerous incidental findings which may be encountered in the imaging data, international organizations advocated the need of both precise, justified and restricted referrals for advanced imaging as well as a need for a radiologic report based on a thorough examination of the entire volume. This paper aims to demonstrate some of the current themes in maxillofacial imaging. it describes the CBCT modality in the maxillofacial region, its application and the various output options. In addition, it introduces the possibility of an imaging consult service. This can be done by either referral of the patient for radiology consult pertaining to findings detected within the region of interest (ROI )or outside the ROI that were not the reason for referral (incidental findings) or by requesting for a written report for an imaging scan.