Dental Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Future toward Radiation FreeImaging

Abstract

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the dentoalveolar complex is growing. A comprehensive review of the recent indications and potential uses in the dental specialties of orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and operative dentistry is still missing and is therefore provided by current literature. Currently, dental MRI is being used for cephalometry in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, identifying the inferior alveolar nerve, impacted teeth, and dentofacial anatomy for dental implant planning, detecting dental pulp inflammation, characterizing periapical and marginal periodontal pathology, detecting caries, and more. In addition to specific procedures related to the complex architecture of the dentofacial complex, the presence of hard tissues, and foreign-body restorations, dedicated coils created especially for enhancing the dentofacial complex’s anatomy are used. The tremendous growth of clinical applications in recent years has been associated with numerous technological advancements in MRI. Although research on the application of MRI in the medical field has been conducted, relatively less has been discovered about its usage in dentistry. Consequently, the current review was conducted to evaluate the applicability, practicality, and efficacy of MRI in the field of dentistry due to the paucity of existing research.

Key words: Dentistry, Diagnostic imaging, Implant, Magnetic resonance imaging, Temporo mandibular joint