In vitro magnetic resonance imaging of rodent teeth.
OBJECTIVE
The anatomic structure of rat teeth was studied and observed using magnetic resonance imaging with high spatial resolution.


METHODS
The right part of the low mandible of two rats of 3 and 12 weeks old were analyzed. Images with different orientations were performed in a 2 Tesla magnetic field using the spin-echo imaging technique.


RESULTS
Highly spatially resolved images revealed details of teeth, and anatomic differences between a young and an adult rat were demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance imaging is well suited to image the buccal area and may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of dental diseases.
Beuf
O
O
Laboratoire d'Etude des Surfaces et Interfaces en Odontologie, Faculté d'Odontologie, Lyon, France.
Briguet
A
A
Lissac
M
M
D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis