Evaluation of four different optimized magnetic-resonance-imaging sequences for visualization of dental and maxillo-mandibular structures at 3 T.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate four in-house optimized, non-contrast enhanced sequences for MRI-investigation of maxillo-mandibular and dental structures by use of 3 T.


METHODS
12 volunteers with different dental status were examined by using a 3 T MRI with a 20-channel standard head-and-neck coil. All images performed were evaluated by using 3D-techniques, with different slice-thicknesses, in 3D T1- and T2-weighted sequences, as well as by using new techniques of image depictions. In addition phantom measurements were performed to estimate the extent of image artefacts caused by retainers and metal implants.


RESULTS
Mean age of the participants was 33 years (range, 25.5-62.75 years), and the sex ratio was 5 females to 7 males. We identified different techniques to improve osseous and dental structures, despite problems caused by dental implants, tooth crowns or braces.


CONCLUSIONS
The sequences evaluated offered excellent visualization in 2D and 3D of osseous and dental structures. Anatomical, osseous and dental structures were described at their ROI, in relation to patients with dental and head and neck pathologies. The ability to detect and distinguish pathological processes as soon as possible in 3D with excellent image quality avoiding ionizing radiation remains a challenging domain.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. MD, DMD, PhD. Max Heiland), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: Alex.assaf@web.de.
Alexandre T
AT
Assaf
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. MD, DMD, PhD. Max Heiland), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Tomislav A
TA
Zrnc
Department of Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Chressen C
CC
Remus
Department of Diagnostics and Interventional Neuroradiology (Head: Prof. MD, PhD. Jens Fiehler), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Michael
M
Schönfeld
Department of Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Christian R
CR
Habermann
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. MD, DMD, PhD. Max Heiland), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Björn
B
Riecke
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. MD, DMD, PhD. Max Heiland), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Reinhard E
RE
Friedrich
Department of Diagnostics and Interventional Neuroradiology (Head: Prof. MD, PhD. Jens Fiehler), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Jens
J
Fiehler
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. MD, DMD, PhD. Max Heiland), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Max
M
Heiland
Department of Diagnostics and Interventional Neuroradiology (Head: Prof. MD, PhD. Jens Fiehler), University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Jan
J
Sedlacik
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015921:Dental Implants; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D003723:Dental Amalgam
3T MRI; Dental structures; Image quality; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mandible; Maxilla