Olga Tymofiyeva1, Kurt Rottner2, Peter Christian Proff3, Ernst-Juergen Richter2, Peter Michael Jakob1
1Dept. of Experimental Physics 5, University of Wrzburg, Wrzburg, Bavaria, Germany; 2Dept. of Prosthodontics, Dental School, University of Wrzburg, Wrzburg, Bavaria, Germany; 3Dept. of Orthodontics, Dental School, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Genetic and environmental factors can cause abnormalities in tooth development that manifest as change of the size, shape, position and number of teeth. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of MRI of dental abnormalities in children. The study included 38 orthodontic patients of mean age 12.4. Supernumerary teeth were diagnosed in 26% of the patients, gemination in 3%, dilaceration in 3%, transposition in 3% and various tooth impactions in 63%. MRI was shown to be a well-tolerated imaging modality for diagnosis of dental abnormalities in children as well as for orthodontic treatment and surgery planning.