The Effect of 9.4 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Microleakage in Amalgam Fillings

Statement of the problem: In dentistry, while the bony structure can be observed perfectly through the X-ray based diagnostic techniques; imaging soft tissue fails to satisfy. In these cases, MRI becomes an alternative; however, the orofacial region which often contains restorations with miscellaneous metals causes major disadvantage for this imaging modality.

Objective: The aim of this study is to observe the effect of 9.4 Tesla (T) MRI on amalgam fillings within the frame of microleakage.

Materials & Methods: Class V cavities were prepared and filled with amalgam restorations with 3 different silver contents on 120 teeth which were extracted for various reasons. Whole tooth surface was covered with 2 layers of nail varnish, and cyanoacrylate-containing glue to prevent the basic fuchsine leakage. Equal numbers of teeth were randomly chosen from different silver content groups to create separated control groups. The case groups were expo-sed to magnetic field with a certain cranial imaging protocol in a 9.4T device. The teeth were bisected from the middle axis of the restorations after being held in a basic fuchsine solution for 24 hours. The microleakage was scored by 3 res-torative dentistry specialists. The results were evaluated statistically.

Results: Using the intraclass correlation coefficient, the accordance among the evaluators was evaluated as perfect. No statically significant diffe-rence was found between the groups.

Conclusions: In context of microleakage, 9.4T MRI has no effect on the leakage between amalgam and tooth cavity.