The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis recently welcomed the first dental-dedicated MRI in the U.S.
The technology was unveiled with the opening of the school's Orofacial MRI Center, according to a Sept. 23 news release. In addition to this being the first MRI of its kind in the U.S., it's the second dental-dedicated MRI in the world.
The Orofacial MRI Center, which opened Sept. 18, aims to continue the school's legacy of MRI innovation by introducing the technology in dentistry. The center is led by Donald Nixdorf, DDS, and Laurence Gaalaas, DDS.
The center's first plans include studying the machine’s use in evaluating endodontic tooth infections, examining the temporomandibular joint for orofacial pain disorders and imaging for orthodontic treatment planning.