Effect of interference of metallic objects on interpretation of T-1-weighted magnetic resonance images in the maxillofacial region

Purpose. Metallic objects produce artifacts on magnetic resonance (MR) imag es. However, studies on typical dental materials in this area are scant. Th is study was conducted to describe and measure the magnitude of such artifa cts. Materials and methods, Samples of various dental materials (dental gold, am algam, stainless steel, titanium, silver-palladium, and vitallium) were emb edded in bovine muscle and then subjected to T1-weighted MR imaging. The ma terials were of the typical morphology and composition encountered in routi ne maxillofacial practice. The MR artifacts were measured and compared with the original specimen measurements. Results. All metallic objects were found to produce artifacts and to interf ere with the interpretation of MR images. Artifacts were most pronounced in the central plane of the object. Gold produced the greatest artifact, and amalgam produced the least. Conclusion. Because metals commonly used in the maxillofacial region all pr oduce artifacts on MR images, avoidance measures should be used to minimize the effect of these artifacts.