Orofacial MRI Center unveils first-in-the-nation dental-dedicated MRI

The School of Dentistry unveiled the country’s first and world’s second dental-dedicated MRI on September 18 with the opening of the Orofacial MRI Center (OMRIC).

Funded by a research grant from Dentsply Sirona and with support from Siemens Healthineers, the Orofacial MRI Center seeks to explore and develop the scientific introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging into dentistry. The center is co-directed by Donald Nixdorf, DDS, MS, director of research and development and professor and director of the Division of TMD and Orofacial Pain, and Laurence Gaalaas, DDS, MS, director of imaging and education and clinical associate professor of oral medicine, diagnosis and radiology.

The concept of innovation in MRI is not new to the University of Minnesota. “The University has been a world leader in MRI innovations for decades, with many ‘firsts’ discovered and pioneered by our colleagues at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR),” explained Nixdorf. “Our origins date back to 2006, when imaging of densely calcified tissues like teeth and bone was published by our colleagues.”

Nixdorf and Gaalaas have worked with researchers and industry experts for the past seven years, as imaging processing advancements and the ability to utilize  smaller, less expensive magnets  have made dental MRI a more feasible pursuit.

“I believe our strong track record of research on dental MRI, as well as our experience in working with the world-renowned CMRR, made the School of Dentistry a clear choice for North America’s first dental-dedicated MRI unit” said Gaalaas.

Both Gaalaas and Nixdorf are optimistic about the impact the center will have on imaging, patient care, research and education.

“This new imaging modality in dentistry has the opportunity to change how we practice dentistry for the betterment of care of our dental patients,” explained Nixdorf. “The likely outcomes of our research are the ability to more precisely and reliably identify dental infections earlier, reducing overall exposure to ionizing radiation and understanding the relationship of jaw function and pain related to mechanical problems of the temporomandibular joint—and these are only the start.”

Gaalaas stressed the importance of reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation found in conventional radiographs and CT scans, which have the potential to increase risk for cancer later in life. “With MRI, we can safely image more frequently than we can with x-ray based systems,” he explained “The other benefit is capability, especially in imaging soft tissues, something we have largely lived without in clinical dental imaging.” He, Nixdorf and the School of Dentistry research team’s first plans are to study the machine’s use in evaluating endodontic tooth infections, TMJ imaging for orofacial pain disorders, and imaging for orthodontic patient treatment planning.

Industry partners are similarly optimistic about the impact the center will have on the field of dentistry.

“We are very excited about the potential of ddMRI for the dental industry and look forward to advancing research into this promising field with our partners at Siemens Healthineers and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry,” said Chip Farnham, director of institutional sales at Dentsply Sirona. “The University’s Center for Magnetic Resonance Research has pioneered some of the most advanced MRI techniques in the world, and we are very pleased to have them on board as we continue to explore the diagnostic power of ddMRI.”

The center and its MRI were unveiled with an open house for School of Dentistry faculty, staff and students, followed by a reception and celebration for industry partners, donors, researchers and clinicians.

Approximately 65 guests celebrated the center at the evening reception, with tours of the space and remarks from key leaders at the School of Dentistry, Siemens Healthineers and Dentsply Sirona.

“I’m extremely happy with Dr. Gaalaas and Dr. Nixdorf and the great work they’ve put into making this center possible,” reflected Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD. “I don’t yet know what we will be able to do, and how it will impact patient care, but I’m excited to see what these innovative faculty can do in this new venture.”

Farnham shared his appreciation for the partnership this new center represented. “It’s been really exciting for us to work together with these teams as partners, as we work to advance preventative and corrective oral care,” he said. “That’s what our mission as a company has been for more than 100 years: to provide dentistry with better solutions and improve care. This is certainly an incredible step forward in that direction.”

Katie Grant, vice president of magnetic resonance at Siemens Healthineers of North America, called the center “an incredible opportunity and a good risk.”

“On behalf of Siemens, we feel very privileged to be able to partner with Dentsply Sirona and the University of Minnesota to make this happen,” she said. “We have a long-standing partnership with the University of Minnesota in the MRI space, but dental MRI is completely new. I can’t wait to see what we don’t know yet and what we can learn.”

As they move forward after the opening celebration, Gaalaas looks forward to “pioneering an imaging technology in dentistry that potentially offers better answers to clinical questions we have not been able to answer well thus far—or even ask,” he said. “My research goal, always, is to help clinicians make better decisions to improve clinical care, and the broad capability of MRI is an ideal technological platform to do so.”

Nixdorf agrees, and looks forward to seeing how dental MRI will transform dentistry.

“Similar to how MRI has had such a positive impact on the practice of medicine, we expect great things to come from its use in dentistry,” he said. “We at the Orofacial MRI Center are happy to help bring new technological developments that better care for our dental patients.”