Is 3D Dental MRI Comparable to Cone-Beam CT for Imaging Dental Abnormalities?

Background: Dental abnormalities can be seen in pediatric dental patients as a result of various genetic and environmental factors. Since most of these conditions require orthodontic and/or surgical treatment and 2-dimensional imaging cannot provide enough information for adequate treatment planning, a 3-dimensional image may be required. Recently, cone-beam CT imaging has been used for this purpose but it has the disadvantage of producing ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation involved in imaging children with dental anomalies repeatedly over time may be too high; therefore, a newer technology using 3D MRI offers an alternative and has the advantage of being based on nuclear magnetic resonance instead of radiation. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of 3D MRI for imaging dental abnormalities in children. Participants: 16 children, aged 8.0 to 15.0 years (average age 10.8 years), with dental abnormalities of size, number, position, or shape were selected prospectively from 15 more...