Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers Unveil the Future of Dental Imaging

The dental-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (ddMRI) scanner—MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition¹—is being developed as part of a joint research project between Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers. The companies have now partnered with the University of Minnesota to advance oral diagnostics research by installing the first ddMRI scanner in the US.²

The MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition MRI system is a joint initiative from Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers.

Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers have partnered with the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to install the first ddMRI scanner in the US. The research project will explore the potential capabilities of the planned MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition for dental imaging and diagnostics, including the possible advantages of ddMRI for preventative and corrective oral care.

The companies decided to install the scanner at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry for research purposes, building on the University’s proven excellence in MRI research at its Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. This US premiere was celebrated on the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry campus, in the presence of Keith A. Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, dean of the School of Dentistry, Chip Farnham, director of institutional sales, Dentsply Sirona, and Katharine Grant, vice president Siemens Healthineers magnetic resonance NAM, Siemens Healthineers.

At the opening ceremony Laurence Gaalaas, DDS, MS, clinical associate professor, division of oral medicine, diagnosis and radiology, and co-director of the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, stated: “I am most enthusiastic to pioneer an imaging technology in dentistry that potentially offers more accurate answers to clinical questions we have thus far not been able to answer well, or ask at all.”

“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.

Exploring the potential of MRI in dentistry

The MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition MRI system is a joint research initiative from Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers, designed to explore new opportunities in dental imaging. By leveraging the high-contrast visualization of soft tissue structures and lesions made possible by MRI, it is expected that this technology can help make the invisible visible, further empowering dentists with diagnostic information. The system is designed to meet the specific needs of the dental industry—with scan protocols tailored to dental indications and dedicated features to enable easy patient setup and excellent image quality.

“To continuously pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare and enhance access to high-quality care, we are committed to exploring the potential of new clinical fields”, said Donald Hardie, head of marketing & sales operations magnetic resonance at Siemens Healthineers. “For this, we collaborate with partners who share our ambition, and we look forward to integrating the advanced research conducted by the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry into the ongoing development of a dental-dedicated MRI with Dentsply Sirona.”

The planned capability of ddMRI to deliver information on soft tissue, nerves, and inflammatory activities could potentially enable the early detection of oral diseases to help prevent over- or under-treatment. Initial research has indicated its great potential for radiation-free imaging of indications such as 3^rd molar extraction, endodontics, temporomandibular disorder (TMJ), periodontitis, and orthodontics.³

“Dental-dedicated MRI has the potential to open up a new frontier in dentomaxillofacial diagnostics,” said Don Nixdorf, DDS, MS, director, division of TMD and orofacial pain and co-director of the Orofacial MRI Center at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. “From improved diagnostic confidence to early detection of oral diseases, this technology could be a real game changer for the dental industry. We have already seen some promising results for ddMRI and I look forward to continuing our research into this exciting field.”

REFERENCES

1. The product is under development. It is not currently submitted to FDA or available for sale in the U.S.A. Its future availability and potential cannot be guaranteed. Pending EU CE marking.
2. Installation is for research purposes only, not a commercial sale. The product will not be used on patients.
3. Dental-dedicated MRI, a novel approach for dentomaxillofacial diagnostic imaging: technical specifications and feasibility | Dentomaxillofacial Radiology | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care.

Dentsply Sirona’s headquarters are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY.

Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products .

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