Ultrasonography in dentistry

Ultrasonography is one of the advanced imaging techniques which uses sound waves for viewing the normal and pathological conditions of bone and soft tissue. It is used widely for imaging a variety of lesions in the Oral and Maxillofacial region. Ultrasonography, as compared to other imaging modalities, has various advantages. It does not use ionizing radiation. It is cost effective. It produces images in real time. It can yield blood flow information. Besides its use in the diagnostic aspect, ultrasonograhy has proved to be an important therapeutic aid as well. Ultrasonography has proved to be a valuable aid in the diagnostic imaging modalities in cases such as nasal fractures, soft tissue lesions, tongue cancer thickness etc.. Therefore, its use in oral and maxillofacial imaging as a diagnostic tool is remarkable. The development of non-toxic contrast agents, primarily encapsulated gas bubbles, has led to new forms of ultrasonic imaging, such as harmonic imaging and perfusion imaging. Ultrasonography is one of the most important diagnostic aids and a valuable therapeutic aid in the field of medical and dental sciences.