ADVANCED IMAGING METHODS

Recent developments in imaging sciences have enabled dental researcher s to visualize structural and biophysical changes effectively. New app roaches for intra-oral radiography allow investigators-to conduct dens itometric assessments of dento-alveolar structures. Longitudinal chang es in alveolar bone can be studied by computer-assisted image analysis programs. These techniques have been applied to dimensional analysis of the alveolar crest, detection of gain or loss of alveolar bone dens ity, peri-implant bone healing and caries detection. Dental applicatio ns of computed tomography (CT) include the detailed radiologic anatomy of alveolar processes, orofacial soft tissues and air spaces. and dev elopmental defects. Image analysis software permits bone mass minerali zation to be quantified by means of CT data CT has also been used to s tudy salivary gland disease, injuries of the facial skeleton, and dent al implant treatment planning. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has be en used extensively in retrospective and prospective studies of intern al derangements of the temporomandibular joint. Assessments based on M RI imaging of the salivary glands, paranasal sinuses, and cerebrovascu lar disease have also been reported. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( MRS) has been applied to the study of skeletal muscle, tumors, and to monitor the healing of grafts. Nuclear imaging provides a sensitive te chnique for early detection of physiological changes in soft tissue an d bone. It has been used in studies of periodontitis, osteomyelitis, o ral and maxillofacial tumors, stress fractures, bone healing. temporom andibular joint, and blood flow. This article includes brief descripti ons of the technical principles of each imaging modality. reviews thei r previous uses in oral biology research, and discusses potential futu re applications in research protocols.