An introduction to ultrasonography in oral surgery.

The examination of postsurgical facial swelling is restricted largely to clinical techniques of evaluation, such as palpation. In experienced hands, such evaluation provides an understanding of the gross changes occurring as a result of oral surgery. However, a more detailed anatomic assessment was considered beneficial. High-resolution gray-scale ultrasonography was therefore employed in the examination of facial tissues before and after the standard surgical approach to removal of impacted third molar teeth. This study revealed that information concerning the site and dimensions of postsurgical edema and hematoma was readily obtainable with the techniques used.