Application of magnetic resonance microimaging to the study of dental caries

Magnetic resonance microimaging (MRM) of teeth has continued to be developed. Two ways in which data can be presented have been investigated, 112-microm-thick image slices and pseudo-three-dimensional surface rendered images. Limitations of the latter have been demonstrated; the possible absence of structures having low intensity or incompleteness of the image at regions from which the signal intensity is low. This has implications for the MRM investigation of dental caries. However, all intensities are recorded and are available. Structures which give a low-intensity signal can be seen in image slices. MRM appears well suited to studying the development of dental caries, ideally in combination with other techniques. As MRM is non-destructive and non-invasive, it can be used in experiments which follow the progress of the disease, yet leaves the tissue intact for other investigations.