Summary: Dentsply Sirona, Siemens Healthineers, and the University of Minnesota installed the U.S.’s first dental-dedicated MRI scanner to explore its potential for dental imaging. This ddMRI technology aims to enable early disease detection and improve diagnostics for oral conditions, potentially transforming oral healthcare with radiation-free, high-contrast imaging tailored to dentistry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Innovative Imaging Tool: The ddMRI scanner offers precise, radiation-free imaging for soft tissues, nerves, and inflammatory processes, tailored specifically for dentistry.
  • Transformative Research: Early findings suggest ddMRI could revolutionize oral healthcare by enhancing diagnostics and enabling the early detection of conditions such as TMJ and periodontitis.

Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers have partnered with the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to install the first dental-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (ddMRI) scanner in the United States. The research project will explore the potential capabilities of the planned Magnetom Free.Max Dental Edition for dental imaging and diagnostics, including the possible advantages of ddMRI for preventative and corrective oral care.

The ddMRI scanner was installed at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry for research purposes, building on the university’s experience in MRI research at its Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. This premiere was celebrated on the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry campus, in the presence of Keith A. Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, Dean of the School of Dentistry, Chip Farnham, Director of Institutional Sales, Dentsply Sirona, and Katharine Grant, Vice President Siemens Healthineers Magnetic Resonance NAM, Siemens Healthineers.

Unlocking New Diagnostic Possibilities

“I am most enthusiastic to pioneer an imaging technology in dentistry that potentially offers comprehensive answers to clinical questions we have thus far not been able to answer well, or ask at all,” said Laurence Gaalaas, DDS, MS, clinical associate professor, division of oral medicine, diagnosis and radiology, and co-director of the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

The Magnetom Free.Max Dental Edition MRI system is a joint research initiative from Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers, designed to explore new opportunities in dental imaging. By leveraging the high-contrast visualization of soft tissue structures and lesions made possible by MRI, it is expected that this technology can further empower dentists with diagnostic information. The system is designed to meet the specific needs of the dental industry – with scan protocols tailored to dental indications and dedicated features to enable easy patient setup and excellent image quality.

READ MORE: Dentsply Sirona, Siemens Healthineers Explore MRI in Dentistry

Advancing Oral Healthcare Through Collaboration

“To continuously pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare and enhance access to high-quality care, we are committed to exploring the potential of new clinical fields”, said Donald Hardie, head of marketing and sales operations magnetic resonance at Siemens Healthineers. “For this, we collaborate with partners who share our ambition, and we look forward to integrating the advanced research conducted by the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry into the ongoing development of a dental-dedicated MRI with Dentsply Sirona.”

The planned capability of ddMRI to deliver information on soft tissue, nerves, and inflammatory activities could potentially enable the early detection of oral diseases to help prevent over- or under-treatment. Initial research has indicated its great potential for radiation-free imaging of indications such as third molar extraction, endodontics, temporomandibular disorder (TMJ), periodontitis, and orthodontics.

A New Frontier in Dental Imaging

“Dental-dedicated MRI has the potential to open up a new frontier in dentomaxillofacial diagnostics,” said Don Nixdorf, DDS, MS, director, division of TMD and orofacial pain and co-director of the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. “From improved diagnostic confidence to early detection of oral diseases, this technology could be a real game changer for the dental industry. We have already seen some promising results for ddMRI and I look forward to continuing our research into this exciting field.”

Photo courtesy of Dentsply Sirona