Dental-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging in the follow-up of lower third molar removal.

Abstract

The objective is to present a dental-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (ddMRI)-based follow-up of inferior third molar removal over 12 months. A 30-year-old female presented with recurrent pain and bleeding from her lower right third molar. With adding diagnostic information from a panoramic image, the tooth was referred for removal. The patient underwent ddMRI using a dental coil with a proton density (PD) weighed turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and a PD-TSE-STIR with fat suppression to highlight possible inflammatory processes. The scans were performed pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, and in a rigorous follow-up (weekly basis for the first 6 weeks, bi-weekly from 7 to 12 weeks, and once at 6 and 12 months post-operatively). Using ImageJ software, circular ROIs were selected in the extraction alveolus coronary, middle, and apical regions. Mean grey values (MGVs) and standard deviation (SD) were obtained. A trend of decreasing MGVs in the PD (TSE) pulse sequence was observed over time, irrespective of the root third. Considering the PD-STIR (TSE), no trend was observed. ddMRI is feasible in the follow-up assessment of inferior third molar removal. Further clinical trials with larger samples are needed to define the usability of follow-up with ddMRI, considering a potential added diagnostic value.