Maxillofacial surgery, like any other surgical specialty is greatly dependent on the discipline of radiology. This poses a greater challenge because of the complex anatomy of this region. Various investigation modalities have been applied in diagnosing various diseases which are found in the maxillofacial region, including IOPA, PET, USG, CT, MRI and panoramic radiographs. Of these, USG can easily diagnose non invasive and soft tissue diseases. It is very useful in diagnosing the diseases which are not usually evident on a conventional radiograph. However; many of the dentists are not aware of the benefits of USG in diagnosis of oral diseases. In this article, the use of ultrasound in diagnosing the various pathologies of maxillofacial region is elaborated.

Paediatric facial fractures are relatively rare. The inherent elasticity of the bones with more of the cartilage than that of the mineralised bone accounts for this. The principles involved in the management of facial fractures are the same irrespective of the age of the patient; however, in children, the techniques used are necessarily modified by certain anatomical, physiological, psychological and feeding factors related to childhood and the parents. In an attempt to keep the treatment and fixation technique simple, the case, presented here, describes the management of a mandibular parasymphyseal fracture in a 16-month-old child with the use of a prefabricated adaptable surgical splint.