Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Maxillofacial Diagnosis

Diagnostic radiologic image analysis or interpretation is a critical stage in the diagnostic process for the assessment of any pathologic condition (Table 15.1). The role of imaging in this sequence is to: (1) assist and/or confirm a suspected diagnosis, (2) provide direction towards the appropriate management of the condition, (3) identify surgical parameters of importance (e.g., pathologic margins, involvement of important anatomical structures such as the inferior alveolar canal), and (4) determine the effectiveness of a specific management strategy treatments with periodic assessment (postoperative follow-up radiographic examinations.