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Quantitative analysis of MRI signal intensity as a tool for evaluating tooth pulp vitality

¹ Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Center, Germany; ² Department of Odontology, Armed Force Hospital, Ulm, Germany; ³ Department of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Armed Force Hospital, Ulm, Germany; ⁴ Department of Radiology, Armed Force Hospital, Ulm, Germany

*Correspondence to: Dr Bodo Kress, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Email: bodo_kress{at}med.uni-heidelberg.de

Received 17 January 2003; revised 1 May 2003; accepted 18 March 2004

Objectives: To assess whether it is possible to measure tooth vitality using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Signal intensity measurements were conducted using T₁ and T₂ 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 T₂ sequence nor the non-contrast-enhanced T₁ 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 T₁ 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.

Keywords: dental vitality; MRI; region of interest; mandible