title: MR-Imaging of teeth and periodontal apparatus: an experimental study comparing high-resolution MRI with MDCT and CBCT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was (1) to assess the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize dental and periodontal structures and (2) to compare findings with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam CT (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four porcine mandibles were examined with (1) 3T-MRI, (2) MDCT and (3) CBCT. Two observers independently reviewed MR, MDCT and CBCT images and assessed image quality of different dental and periodontal structures. To assess quantitatively the accuracy of the different imaging technique, both observers measured burr holes, previously drilled in the mandibles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dental structures, e.g. teeth roots, pulpa chamber and dentin, were imaged accurately with all imaging sources. Periodontal space and cortical/trabecular bone were better visualized by MRI (p < 0.001). MRI could excellently display the lamina dura, not detectable with MDCT and only inconstant visible with CBCT (p < 0.001). Burr hole measurements were highly precise with all imaging techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experimental study shows the diagnostic feasibility of MRI in visualization of teeth and periodontal anatomy. Detection of periodontal structures was significantly better with MRI than with MDCT or CBCT. Prospective trials have to evaluate further the potential benefit of MRI in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. chiara.gaudino@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaudino
authors.forename: Raluca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cosgarea
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heiland
authors.forename: Réka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Csernus
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beomonte Zobel
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Ti-Sun
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendszus
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rohde
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013552:Swine; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology