Magnetic resonance imaging in dentistry

MR imaging has found a place in the imaging sciences. These images are unique in that no ionizing radiation is used, the same tissues may or may not have different appearances with different machine settings, a unique set of terms is used to describe the findings in the images, and these findings can be analyzed with the view of obtaining more diagnostic information not readily available with any other imaging modality. Cases have been presented to help demonstrate differences in T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences as well as the value of contrast material. Additionally, plain film and CT views were included so that they may be contrasted with the MR images. The role and application of CT versus MR imaging has been further discussed and illustrated by Nortjé and van Rensburg. A typical temporomandibular joint case has also been presented. In the future, it is hoped that clinicians will refer more patients for MR imaging so that diagnoses can be made more accurately with analytic software.