3D orthodontic and surgical study of third molars: MRI vs CBCT

The aim is to assess 3D volumetric anatomical reconstruction of the third molars and the relationships with the inferior alveolar nerve canal (IAN) by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). 10 patients underwent CBCT and MRI with a new 3D protocol, that provides Dicom data acquisition that can be imported into three-dimensional reconstruction and visualization software. It has been performed a segmentation of jaw bones and dental elements, and has been mapped the location of the inferior alveolar nerve. The volumetric MRI has resulted optimal for the virtual models of anatomical structures, especially the third molars and the IAN. The 3D MRI volumetric reconstruction resulted similar to 3D CBCT volumes (p<0.1). The results confirm the possibility of using MRI for a 3D volumetric study of dental and maxillomandibular structures, with the total absence of ionizing radiation delivered to the patient.