Advanced imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging in implant dentistry

For accurate and safe placement of dental implants, and planning of associated surgery, a full assessment of the surgical anatomy of the site is necessary. Thus, it is highly desirable to have tomographic, sectional information available, to permit the implant to be aligned correctly. In recent years, X-ray computed tomography (CT) has become accepted as the gold standard in assessment, but the exposure to ionising radiation can be substantial. Artefacts due to dental restorations can also be significant, and some doubts may exist over the accuracy of reformatted CT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) entails no exposure to ionising radiation, and allows direct acquisition of tomographic information in any desired plane. Sequential studies may be safely performed, allowing us a valuable insight into bone graft behaviour. Other than in a small number of cases, MRI may be safely used for presurgical assessments. Artefacts are few and in most cases localised. The surgical confidence from the sectional information gained is a significant step forward in the safe placement of dental implants.