Comparison of panoramic and standard radiographs for the diagnosis of mandibular fractures.

This study was undertaken to compare the panoramic radiograph with the standard hospital mandibular series for the diagnosis of mandibular fractures. Of the 88 fractures present in the patient population, 92% were recognized in the panoramic radiograph, while only 66% were detected in the hospital series. All fractures seen in the hospital series were also seen in the panoramic view. It was therefore concluded that the panoramic view is superior to the standard hospital series for the diagnosis of mandibular fractures.