The X-ray mandible lateral oblique is performed to assess the presence and/or position of unerupted teeth, detection of fractures of the mandible, evaluation of lesions or conditions affecting the jaws including cysts, tumours, giant cell lesions, and other bone lesions, as an alternative when intraoral views are unobtainable because of severe gagging or if the patient is unable to open the mouth or is unconscious and as specific views of the salivary glands or temporomandibular joints.