Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging disturbances and the magnetic susceptibility of dental materials.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate the size and the orientation of image disturbances observed on specific samples of dental materials with their magnetic susceptibility. The measurement of the magnetic susceptibility was performed in the 10(-5) or 10(-6) range using MRI to establish a classification of dental materials. METHODS: Cylindrical dental alloy samples incorporating gold, silver, and palladium were placed in a Pyrex beaker filled with distilled water. Images were performed at 0.13 Tesla using two-dimensional Fourier transformation and projection reconstruction at 360 degrees imaging methods. The magnetic susceptibilities were obtained by measuring distances between spots having the highest intensity on the image. RESULTS: A very discriminating classification may be established on MRI criteria. This method permits one to determine the dia- or para-magnetic character of the dental materials tested. Only palladium-based alloys have been detected to be paramagnetic with kappa > 0. One of the silver-based alloys did not induce detectable distortion because its susceptibility was very close to that of distilled water. Based on this MRI data, the use of this material may be recommended for applications that may be subjected to MRI evaluation. SIGNIFICANCE: With the increasing use of MRI as a diagnostic tool, it is useful to establish a classification of prosthetic biomaterials compatible with MRI.