Quantitative analysis of MRI signal intensity as a tool for evaluating tooth pulp vitality.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether it is possible to measure tooth vitality using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Signal intensity measurements were conducted using T(1) and T(2) sequences at the region of interest in 211 teeth (35 patients).


RESULTS
Clinical findings showed that 17.3% of the teeth were avital, whereas 82.7% were found to be vital. Neither the T(2) sequence nor the non-contrast-enhanced T(1) sequence showed significant differences between vital and avital teeth. However, the contrast-enhanced sequence and, in particular, a comparison of signal intensities between the non-contrast-enhanced T(1) sequence and the contrast-enhanced sequence showed a significant difference between vital and avital teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced MRI enables us to draw conclusions on pulpal perfusion in vivo.
Kress
B
B
Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Bodo_Kress@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Buhl
Y
Y
Anders
L
L
Stippich
C
C
Palm
F
F
Bähren
W
W
Sartor
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000175:diagnosis
D003287:Contrast Media