Discovery from a lateral oblique radiograph.

In many oral and maxillofacial surgery units and emergency departments, lateral oblique radiographs are not routinely included in radiological investigations for suspected mandibular fractures because orthopanoramic and posteroanterior mandible views usually suffice. This paper reports a case where a lateral oblique radiograph proved to be very useful in managing a fractured atrophic mandible. This case report highlights the importance of considering the use of alternative radiographs for suspected fracture(s) of an atrophic mandible to exclude the unexpected. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.