Reperfusion of autotransplanted teeth-comparison of clinical measurements by means of dental magnetic resonance imaging

Objective. Dental magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) with administration of contrast material is one method of assessing pulpal perfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of contrast enhancement displayed b y means of dMRI after transplantation of teeth and to compare these finding s with the results of tooth mobility, pocket depth, cold, and electrical te sts. Study design. Twenty-three teeth with either complete root formation or inc omplete root formation (IRF) were investigated by using dMRI and were clini cally examined at intervals of 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, as well as 6 months a nd 12 months after transplantation. Results. An analysis of the enhancement in the dental images revealed a sig nificant difference between teeth with IRF and teeth with complete root for mation. In addition, the time to occurrence of a positive reaction to the c old test was significantly longer for teeth with IRF Conclusions. The findings of this study indicate that transplanted IRF teet h are associated with reperfusion seen by means of dMRI as well as with del ayed occurrence of a positive cold test.