Imaging Sci Dent.  2021 Dec;51(4):413-419. 10.5624/isd.20210099.

Influence of receiver bandwidth on MRI artifacts caused by orthodontic brackets composed of different alloys

• Abdala-Junior R
• No-Cortes J
• Arita ES
• Ackerman JL
• Berbel da Silva RL
• Kim JH
• Gonzalez Cortes AR

• KMID: 2527087
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.20210099

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the role of bandwidth on the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts caused by orthodontic appliances composed of different alloys, using different pulse sequences in 1.5 T and 3.0 T magnetic fields.
Materials and Methods
Different phantoms containing orthodontic brackets (ceramic, ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot, and stainless steel) were immersed in agar gel and imaged in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI scanners. Pairs of gradient-echo (GE), spin-echo (SE), and ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequences were used differing in bandwidth only. The area of artifacts from orthodontic devices was automatically estimated from pixel value thresholds within a region of interest (ROI). Mean values for similar pulse sequences differing in bandwidth were compared at 1.5 T and 3.0 T using analysis of variance.
Results
The comparison of groups revealed a significant inverse association between bandwidth values and artifact areas of the stainless-steel bracket and the self-ligating ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot (P<0.05). The areas of artifacts from the ceramic bracket were the smallest, but were not reduced significantly in pulse sequences with higher bandwidth values (P<0.05). Significant differences were also observed between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE, but not using GE 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional pulse sequences.
Conclusion
Higher receiver bandwidth might be indicated to prevent artifacts from orthodontic appliances in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE pulse sequences.

Keyword

Dental Materials; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Artifacts; Orthodontic Brackets