Magnetic Resonance Imaging

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful and versatile imaging modality utilizied in various medical fields. With the emergence of commercial medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the 1980s, several MRI applications, such as cardiac, abdominal, and cranial, started to evolve medical diagnostic imaging. Three-dimensional MRI assessment of morphology and function without ionizing radiation attracted attention in dental applications during 1980s. Dental applications of MRI, however; was sparse compared to other medical applications. Most work in the field of dental MRI aimed at imaging soft tissues, testing the potential of implant planning, and imaging of the morphology and function of the temporo mandibular joint. Magnetic Resonance Imaging has not been commonly used for oral and maxillofacial imaging because the acquisition of the sequences can be negatively influenced by motion of the body, respiration, air in the oral cavity and nasal cells, implants and metal materials. However, the utilization of MRI, enabled evaluation of spatial relationship between anatomic structures and intraosseous jaw lesions when CT imaging cannot provide clear depiction of the mandibular canal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging can also be useful to the typing of different expansive lesions, and to evaluate the possible infiltration of the soft tissue. Also, Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) Magnetic Resonance Ä°maging (MRI), in which multiphase MRI scans are taken following the intravenous injection of a contrast agent, has been widely used in clinical practice. High-resolution anatomical detail is a feature for TMJ imaging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging may assist the clinician in determining whether primary or delayed treatment is indicated in cases of trauma to the TMJ. The saggital and coronal MRI of TMJ articulation are complimentary, and is important for a full assessment of joint dysfunction.  

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