Ultrasonography; A boon as a diagnostic & therapeutic aid in dentistry: A review

Abstract

Dentistry in the modern era is emerging with the use of advanced imaging techniques such as Computed tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, of which MRI and Ultrasound are the only imaging technique, which operate without causing radiation hazards to the patients. Ultrasound is one of the advanced imaging techniques which use sound waves for viewing the normal and pathological conditions involving bone and soft tissue of the oral and maxillofacial region. In dentistry for detecting a bony or soft tissue mass, patients are exposed to multiple radiographs which might cause radiation effects at the tissue and organ level. This valuable technique can be used prior to use of X-ray radiation. This paper reviews diagnostic applications of ultrasound to dentistry, or dental ultrasonography, in all fields beginning present up through present lines of research.