Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Perioperative Evaluation of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma

Dental, oral, and maxillofacial trauma represents a significant public health concern, with most cases resulting from accidents and occurring frequently in young adults. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination and imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), which are standard for hard tissue assessment but expose patients to ionizing radiation. To reduce radiation exposure while simultaneously allowing for the visualization of soft tissues, newer imaging methods, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as Black Bone and CT-like MRI protocols (ZTE, UTE), are being explored. These MRI techniques offer high-resolution, non-ionizing alternatives, showing promise for diagnosing soft tissue injuries and fractures without radiation risks, especially beneficial for younger patients. This study aims to assess MRI's diagnostic capabilities for maxillofacial trauma, focusing on early diagnosis, artifact reduction, and comparison to conventional X-ray-based imaging, within a minimal-risk study framework. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of MRI compared to X-ray-based imaging modalities (CT/CBCT) for detecting dental, oral, and maxillofacial fractures, with a specific focus on Black Bone and CT-like MRI techniques. Additionally, it investigates MRI's potential to reduce artifacts around osteosynthesis plates, enhancing postoperative imaging quality in the presence of metal hardware.