A novel approach for gingiva thickness measurements around lower anterior teeth by means of dental magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Objective This diagnostic accuracy study aims to present the first measurements of gingiva thickness around lower anterior teeth using dental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare these measurements with two established methods: (1) gingival phenotype assessment via periodontal probing, and (2) the superimposition of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans with intraoral scans of teeth and gums. Materials and methods Ten patients with substantial orthodontic treatment need and anterior mandibular crowding were consecutively included in this clinical case series. After periodontal probing, each patient underwent a CBCT scan, an intraoral scan of the mandible, and an MRI investigation using a novel mandibula 15-channel dental coil. Results The mean gingiva thickness was 0.72 mm measured on MRI and 0.97 mm measured on CBCT, with a mean difference between the measurement methods of 0.17 ± 0.27 mm (p < 0.001). Measurement agreement between the index tests (MRI and CBCT) and the clinical reference standard (probing) yielded an overall percent agreement of 64.94% and 47.02% for MRI and CBCT, respectively. Teeth with thin phenotypes were associated with lower soft tissue dimensions in both free (MRI: 0.56 mm vs. CBCT: 0.79 mm) and supracrestal gingiva (MRI: 0.75 mm vs. CBCT: 1.03 mm) when compared to those with thick phenotypes. However, only the measurements obtained from MRI scans showed statistically significant differences between the two phenotypes. Conclusion Dental MRI successfully visualizes delicate structures like the gingiva in the anterior mandible and achieves a high correlation with superimposed CBCT scans, with clinically acceptable deviations. Clinical relevance The present study helps to establish dental MRI as a radiation-free alternative to conventional radiographic methods.

Nanochemistry of gold: from surface engineering to dental healthcare applications

“…Conversely, CBCT data are frequently utilized for the 3D reconstruction of hard tissues, such as the condyle, teeth, alveolar bone, maxilla, and mandible. 158,159 In recent times, dental MRI has gained increasing acceptance as a radiation-free alternative to conventional radiographic methods like CT, periapical radiographs, and pantomography. Functionalized GNSs also find utility as contrast agents in dental MRI applications.…”