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

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.

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