Redefining Dental Imaging: Low-Cost MRI with Relaxed Field Requirements

The goal of this research is to test the feasibility of using a specialized pulse sequence, MB-SWIFT, and an intraoral coil to detect the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) (an important landmark for treatment decisions in dentistry) in teeth at an affordable, lower field strength (0.7T) with greater inhomogeneity than conventional MRI systems. This grant also seeks to affirm siting requirements for an MRI system dedicated for dentistry. This would allow development of an MRI system for dentistry that is cost-effective and able to be sited within conventional dental practices without the need for significant renovations. The project has 4 specific aims. The first 2 are related to integrating the intraoral dental coils into an existing 0.7T system and implementing MB-SWIFT on a novel spectrometer. The 3rd aim seeks to explore how well the system captures the DEJ, and the 4th aim seeks to definitively validate siting requirements for future MRI systems in dentistry. If proven to be successful, this technology could help usher in a new era of dental imaging that is both non-ionizing and allows for greater sensitivity, therefore earlier detection, of dental diseases. This project supports NIDCR’s strategic priority to, “Advance discoveries across the translational research spectrum and drive innovations that improve early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of DOC diseases...”