Magnetic Resonance applications in dental implantology: technical notes and preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the field of dental implantology, for identifying the mandibular nerve, as proposed by several authors.


METHODS
MRI was used for the study of the mandible in ten subjects (five healthy volunteers and five subjects awaiting dental implants). Imaging was performed on a 1.0-T MR scanner with a brain coil. T2 TSE, T1 spin-echo and T2 gradient-echo sequences were performed, both parallel and perpendicular to the horizontal portion of the mandible, with a thickness of 3 mm.


RESULTS
In all the subjects MRI clearly identified the intraosseous course of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle within the mandibular canal.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI appears useful for the depiction of the mandibular canal before dental implantation. Further studies are required to compare the accuracy of MRI and CT based on a statistically significant sample.
Istituto di Scienze Odontostomatologiche, Ospedale Umberto I, Ancona, Italy.
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Salvolini
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Salvolini
D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation