Updates from the University of Minnesota on Dental-dedicated MRI

In 2024, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry established the Orofacial MRI Center (OMRIC) and installed the first-ever dental-dedicated MRI unit in the Americas. Multi-year research funding from Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers includes studies on MRI indications in TMJ imaging, endodontics and orthodontics. Other OMRIC research initiatives include studies on orofacial pain, periodontitis, and oral surgery.

You'll receive an update on the current state of technology and the research and look at the future of MRI imaging in dentistry.

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Learn the current state of technology and research associated with dental MRI.
• Understand the imaging capabilities of the OMRIC MAGNETOM Free.Max 0.55T dental-dedicated MRI unit.
• Grasp the future directions and role of MRI in dentistry.

Laurence Gaalaas, DDS, MS received his dental degree from the University of Minnesota and completed specialty training and a Master of Science degree in oral and maxillofacial radiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a researcher and inventor, his expertise includes clinical applications of cone beam computed tomography, caries detection and diagnosis, and development of novel imaging techniques specific to dentistry such as low dose 3D intraoral radiography and dental MRI. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, a member of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and has ongoing teaching responsibilities plus an active radiology practice through the University of Minnesota.