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Quantitative analysis of MRI signal intensity as a tool for evaluating tooth pulp vitality
1Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Bodo_Kress@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Objectives:
To assess whether it is possible to measure tooth vitality using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods:
Signal intensity measurements were conducted using T(1) and T(2) sequences at the region of interest in 211 teeth (35 patients).
Results:
Clinical findings showed that 17.3% of the teeth were avital, whereas 82.7% were found to be vital. Neither the T(2) sequence nor the non-contrast-enhanced T(1) sequence showed significant differences between vital and avital teeth. However, the contrast-enhanced sequence and, in particular, a comparison of signal intensities between the non-contrast-enhanced T(1) sequence and the contrast-enhanced sequence showed a significant difference between vital and avital teeth.
Conclusion:
Contrast-enhanced MRI enables us to draw conclusions on pulpal perfusion in vivo.
