Stray-field imaging (STRAFI) of teeth

During endodontic treatment radiographs are used to get information about the root configurations of the teeth. Another modern imaging system in medicine, magnetic resonance tomography, provides fine pictures of soft tissues without using ionizing radiation. Currently, imaging of bone and teeth cannot be achieved very well by magnetic resonance tomography, therefore in a research experiment a special variant of magnetic resonance microscopy, stray field imaging, was used, which promises new ways of looking into the structure of solids including teeth. Initial experiences in reproducing the outer and inner contours of teeth with this new technique are presented. Limitations and further applications are discussed.