Surveying the landscape of diagnostic imaging in dentistry's future: Four emerging technologies with promise

BACKGROUND

Advances in digital radiography for both intraoral and panoramic imaging and cone-beam computed tomography have led the way to an increase in diagnostic capabilities for the dental care profession. In this article, the authors provide information on 4 emerging technologies with promise.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors feature the following: artificial intelligence in the form of deep learning using convolutional neural networks, dental magnetic resonance imaging, stationary intraoral tomosynthesis, and second-generation cone-beam computed tomography sources based on carbon nanotube technology and multispectral imaging. The authors review and summarize articles featuring these technologies.

RESULTS

The history and background of these emerging technologies are previewed along with their development and potential impact on the practice of dental diagnostic imaging. The authors conclude that these emerging technologies have the potential to have a substantial influence on the practice of dentistry as these systems mature. The degree of influence most likely will vary, with artificial intelligence being the most influential of the 4.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The readers are informed about these emerging technologies and the potential effects on their practice going forward, giving them information on which to base decisions on adopting 1 or more of these technologies. The 4 technologies reviewed in this article have the potential to improve imaging diagnostics in dentistry thereby leading to better patient care and heightened professional satisfaction.

An improved intraoral transverse loop coil design for high-resolution dental MRI

PURPOSE

To improve intraoral transverse loop coil design for high-resolution dental MRI.

METHODS

The transverse intraoral loop coil (tLoop) was modified (mtLoop) by overlapping the feed port conductors, bending the posterior section, introducing a parallel plate capacitor, optimizing the insulation thickness, and using it in receive-only mode. In addition, an MR-silent insulation was introduced. The performances of the mtLoop and tLoop coils were compared in terms of sensitivity, image SNR, and eddy currents using electromagnetic simulations and MRI measurements at 3T.

RESULTS

The receive-only mode of the mtLoop increases the sensitivity at the apices of the roots, and the overlapped feed port design eliminated signal voids along the incisors. The bent posterior section with the parallel plate capacitor reduced the unwanted signal of the tongue by a factor of 2.3 in the selected region off interest and lowered the eddy currents by 10%. The proposed new coil provided higher SNR by elevenfold and 2.5-fold at the incisors and apices of the molar roots within the selected regions of interest, respectively, in the experiments, as well as improved comfort. Optimal insulation thickness was determined as 1 mm. With the mtLoop, a (250 μm)³ isotropic resolution of the dental arch could be realized using a UTE sequence within 2 min total acquisition time. A T₂ -SPACE protocol with (350 μm)² in-plane resolution was also demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The proposed new coil offers higher SNR at the incisors and apices of the molar roots, less unwanted signals from tongue, lower eddy currents, and improved patient comfort.