magnetic resonance measurement on a set of teeth

Abstract

An antenna array for receiving radio-frequency signals in a frequency and power range of a magnetic resonance apparatus. The antenna array includes: a signal conductor configured to receive a radio-frequency signal of a magnetic alternating field and to transmit the radio-frequency signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus; and a carrier element mechanically connected to the signal conductor, wherein the carrier element is shaped in accordance with at least part of a set of teeth of an examination object, and wherein the carrier element is positively connectable to the set of teeth of the examination object in an application-appropriate position in accordance with an application in order to position the signal conductor on the set of teeth of the examination object.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An antenna array for receiving radio-frequency signals in a frequency and power range of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the antenna array comprising: a signal conductor configured to receive a radio-frequency signal of a magnetic alternating field and to transmit the radio-frequency signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus; and a carrier element mechanically connected to the signal conductor, wherein the carrier element is shaped in accordance with at least part of a set of teeth of an examination object, and wherein the carrier element is positively connectable to the set of teeth of the examination object in an application-appropriate position in accordance with an application in order to position the signal conductor on the set of teeth of the examination object.

22. The antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein the antenna array is configured to emit radio-frequency signals into the examination object in the frequency and power range of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

23. The antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein the signal conductor is embedded in a material of the carrier element.

24. The antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein the signal conductor comprises a loop shaped in accordance with at least part of a dental arch of the examination object.

25. The antenna array as claimed in claim 24, further comprising: an array of signal conductors shaped in accordance with at least part of the dental arch.

26. The antenna array as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least part of the array of signal conductor is orientable along a plane of a biting surface of the examination object.

27. The antenna array as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least part of the array of signal conductors is orientable in a perpendicular orientation to a plane of a biting surface on an inner side of teeth of the dental arch.

28. The antenna array as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least part of the array of signal conductors is orientable in a perpendicular orientation to a plane of a biting surface on an outside of teeth of the dental arch.

29. The antenna array as claimed in claim 25, wherein the carrier element encloses the dental arch of the examination object in a position in accordance with the application at least along a side of teeth on which the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors is positioned, wherein the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors is positionable on a side of the carrier element facing the dental arch in the position in accordance with the application.

30. The antenna array as claimed in claim 25, wherein on a side facing the dental arch in the position in accordance with the application, the carrier element has a plastic compound which is deformable on contact with the set of teeth of the examination object.

31. The antenna array as claimed in claim 29, wherein the carrier element has a recess configured to receive the dental arch and a holding apparatus configured to fix the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors, and wherein the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors is mounted over the recess by means of the holding apparatus, and by way of positioning of the carrier element in accordance with the application on the set of teeth of the examination object, is moldable to the set of teeth of the examination object.

32. The antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least part of the antenna array is configured to be positioned in a position in accordance with the application along part of a gum and/or a hyoid bone of the examination object.

33. The antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein the antenna array has at least one electrically conductive shield which is positionable in a position of the antenna array in accordance with the application between the antenna array and a soft tissue of the examination object, and is designed to shield a radio-frequency signal of a magnetic alternating field from a direction of the soft tissue.

34. A system comprising the magnetic resonance apparatus and the antenna array as claimed in claim 21, wherein the magnetic resonance apparatus has a signal link to the antenna array and is configured to receive radio-frequency signals of the antenna array and to produce image data of the set of teeth of the examination object.

35. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the magnetic resonance apparatus comprises a plurality of receiver channels having a plurality of signal links to the array of signal conductors.

36. A method for carrying out a magnetic resonance measurement of a set of teeth of an examination object using an antenna array for receiving radio-frequency signals in a frequency and power range of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the antenna array has a signal conductor configured to receive a radio-frequency signal of a magnetic alternating field and to transmit the radio-frequency signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus, and a carrier element mechanically connected to the signal conductor, wherein the carrier element is shaped in accordance with at least part of the set of teeth of the examination object, and the antenna array is connectable in a predetermined relative position to the set of teeth of the examination object, the method comprising: orienting the carrier element with the antenna array relative to the set of teeth in an oral cavity of the examination object, wherein a side of the carrier element shaped in accordance with the set of teeth is oriented with the set of teeth of the examination object in a direction facing the set of teeth; connecting the carrier element to the set of teeth of the examination object in a position in accordance with an application by bringing the side of the carrier element shaped in accordance with the set of teeth of the examination object into contact with the set of teeth; and carrying out the magnetic resonance measurement of the set of teeth of the examination object, wherein the antenna array detects radio-frequency signals by means of the signal conductor and transits the radio-frequency signals to a receiver of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

37. The method as claimed in claim 36, wherein a plastic compound of the carrier element is deformed on connection to the set of teeth and forms a positive connection with the set of teeth of the examination object, which reversibly fixes the carrier element to the set of teeth.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37, further comprising: detaching the carrier element from the set of teeth of the examination object and producing a positive mold of the set of teeth of the examination object on the basis of the plastic compound of the carrier element.

39. The method as claimed in claim 36, wherein a signal conductor or an array of signal conductors is mounted over a recess of the carrier element by means of a holding apparatus configured to fix the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors, and on connection of the carrier element to the set of teeth, are deflected by at least part of a dental arch in a direction of the carrier element facing the recess, wherein at least part of the dental arch is enclosed along a free surface by the signal conductor or the array of signal conductors.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the carrying out the magnetic resonance measurement takes place in a step of a plurality of receiver channels receiving magnetic resonance signals from the array of signal conductors, and wherein for reducing a measurement duration of the magnetic resonance measurement, a reduced volume of k-space data is acquired and parallel imaging methods are used in order to reconstruct image data of the set of teeth from the reduced volume of k-space data.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Further advantages and details can be found in the following description of exemplary aspects in connection with the drawings. In the drawings, in a schematic diagram:

[0085] FIG. 1 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed system,

[0086] FIG. 2 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a plastic compound,

[0087] FIG. 3 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a plastic compound,

[0088] FIG. 4 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array,

[0089] FIG. 5 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array,

[0090] FIG. 6 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with an array of signal conductors,

[0091] FIG. 7 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with an array of signal conductors,

[0092] FIG. 8 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a holding apparatus,

[0093] FIG. 9 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a holding apparatus,

[0094] FIG. 10 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a holding apparatus,

[0095] FIG. 11 shows one possible aspect of an disclosed antenna array with a holding apparatus,

[0096] FIG. 12 shows one possible flowchart of an disclosed method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] Reference will be made in the following description of the figures to a human patient as the examination object since this represents a customary application for imaging methods based on magnetic resonance. This of course does not preclude an application to the above-described examples of examination objects.

[0098] FIG. 1 schematically represents an aspect of the system with a magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and an antenna array 26. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a magnetic unit 11, which has, for example, a permanent magnet, an electromagnet or a superconductive main magnet 12 for generating a strong starken and, in particular, homogeneous main magnetic field 13 (static magnetic field B0). In addition, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a patient-receiving region 14 for receiving a patient. In the present exemplary aspect, the patient-receiving region 14 is cylindrical and surrounded in a circumferential direction by the magnetic unit 11. Basically, designs of the patient-receiving region 14 that differ from this example are also conceivable, however.

[0099] The patient can be positioned in the patient-receiving region 14 by means of a patient-positioning apparatus 16 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The patient-positioning apparatus 16 has for this purpose a patient couch 17 configured to move inner side the patient-receiving region 14. The magnetic unit 11 also has a gradient coil 18 for generating magnetic field gradients, which is used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil 18 is actuated by means of a gradient control unit 19 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The magnetic unit 11 can also comprise a radio-frequency antenna, which in the present exemplary aspect is designed as a body coil 20 permanently integrated in the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The body coil 20 is configured for exciting atomic nuclei, which are located in the main magnetic field 13 generated by the main magnet 12. The body coil 20 is actuated by a radio-frequency unit 21 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and irradiates radio-frequency signals into an examination space, which is substantially formed by a patient-receiving region 14 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The body coil 20 is also designed for receiving magnetic resonance signals.

[0100] The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a control unit 22 for controlling the main magnet 12, the gradient control unit 19 and for controlling the radio-frequency unit 21. The control unit 22 is designed to carry out a sequence, such as an imaging gradient echo sequence, a TSE sequence or a UTE sequence for example. In addition, the control unit 22 comprises an evaluation unit 28 for evaluating digitized magnetic resonance signals, which are detected during the magnetic resonance examination. The evaluation unit can likewise be designed to use reconstruction methods in order to reconstruct image data from reduced volumes of k-space data when parallel imaging methods are used.

[0101] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a user interface 23, which has a signal link to the control unit 22. Control information, such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images, can be displayed for a user on a display unit 24, for example on at least one monitor, of the user interface 23. Furthermore, the user interface 23 has an input unit 25 by means of which parameters of a magnetic resonance measurement can be input by the user. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has an antenna array 26, which is positioned on the set of teeth of an examination object 15 and transmits magnetic resonance signals from the oral cavity to the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The antenna array 26 preferably has an electrical connection cable 27, which provides a signal link to the radio-frequency unit 21 and the control unit 22. Just like the body coil 20, the antenna array 26 can also be designed for exciting atomic nuclei and for receiving magnetic resonance signals. The antenna array 26 can have, in particular, a drum-shaped construction for this purpose, which surrounds the head of the patient 15. The antenna array 26 is actuated by the radio-frequency unit 21 for emitting radio-frequency signals.

[0102] The represented magnetic resonance apparatus 10 can of course comprise further components, which magnetic resonance apparatuses conventionally have. It is likewise conceivable that instead of the cylindrical construction, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a C-shaped, a triangular or an asymmetric construction of the magnetic field-generating components. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 can be designed in particular to carry out a magnetic resonance examination of a standing or seated patient 15.

[0103] FIG. 2 shows an aspect of the antenna array 26 in which the antenna array 26 is connected to the dental arch 31 of the upper jaw of the patient 15 by means of the plastic compound 34. In the example shown, a suitably shaped applicator 35 is used to connect the antenna array 26 to the plastic compound 34, in the position in accordance with the application, to the dental arch 31 of the patient 15. The plastic compound 34 represents the carrier element, which positively connects the antenna array 26 to the set of teeth 30 of the patient. The plastic compound 34 is applied to a plurality of disjunct points of the antenna array 26 for this purpose. In this aspect, the antenna array 26 has a horseshoe shape, which is shaped in accordance with the shape of the dental arch 31. The antenna array 26 is encased with an electrically and thermally insulating material in order to protect the patient 15.

[0104] FIG. 3 shows an alternative aspect of the antenna array 26 in which the antenna array 26 is connected to the dental arches 31 of the upper and lower jaws of the patient 15 by means of the plastic compound 34. In this example, the antenna array 26 is fixed to a holder 33, which has an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the antenna array 26 in all three spatial directions. Both the applicator 35 and the holder 33 can be suitable for leading a signal conductor of the antenna array 26 out of the oral cavity 32 of the patient 15 and/or providing a connection to an electrical connection cable 27. For example, a strain relief for the electrical connection cable 27 and/or the signal conductor of the antenna array 26 can be provided for this purpose.

[0105] FIG. 4 shows an aspect of the antenna array 26, which has a non-plastic carrier element 36. The carrier element 36 is shaped in accordance with the dental arch 31 of the patient 15 and has an encircling wall 38, which, in the position in accordance with the application, is positioned on the outer side of the teeth of the dental arch 31 and limits the movement of the carrier element 36 along the plane of the biting surface. The carrier element 36 also has a recess 39, which, in the position in accordance with the application, receives the dental arch 31 of the patient. In a position in accordance with the application, an arcuate structure 40 of the carrier element 36 rests on the gum of the patient 15 and limits the movement of the carrier element 36 in the direction of the inner side of the teeth of the dental arch 31. In the example shown, the carrier element 36 is shaped in accordance with the dental arch 31 of a patient 15 and thus enables a positive connection of the antenna array 26 with the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15. It is conceivable that the recess 39 also has a plastic compound 34, which improves the positive connection between the dental arch 31 and the antenna array 26. In the example shown, the antenna array 26 has an individual loop of a signal conductor 37, which runs along the recess 39 and in the position in accordance with the application, is positioned on a biting surface of the dental arch 31.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows an alternative aspect of the antenna array 26 in which the carrier element 36 encloses part of the dental arch 31. In the illustrated example, the carrier element 36 encloses a quadrant of the dental arch 31, which typically comprises two incisors, a canine and premolars and molars. In addition to the illustrated example, further configurations of the carrier element 36 are also conceivable, which enclose individual sections or one or more quadrant(s) of the dental arch 31. As in the aspect shown in FIG. 4, the loop of the signal conductor 37 is inserted in the recess 39. At the side of the carrier element 36 facing the pharynx of the patient 15 in accordance with the application direction, the loop has a deflection of 180°, so the signal conductor 37 is inserted in the recess 39 with a double wire. This can improve the sensitivity of the antenna array 26 in the region of the enclosed dental arch 31. It is also conceivable, however, that a section of the signal conductor 37 is led back outside of the recess 39 or the carrier element 36 in order to close the loop.

[0107] FIG. 6 shows an aspect of the antenna array 26 in which an array of signal conductors 40 is positioned in the recess 39 of the carrier element 36. In the illustrated example, the array of signal conductors 40 has an array or a matrix of adjoining, partially overlapping, circular rings. The array of signal conductors 40 can also have a grid structure and any linear or non-linear arrangements of the signal conductors 3, however. In the illustrated aspect, part of the array of signal conductors 40 is positioned on the walls 38 of the carrier element 36 adjoining the inner side of the teeth of the dental arch 31 in the position in accordance with the application. The sensitivity of the array of signal conductors 40 along the inner side of the teeth of the dental arch 31 is increased hereby. It is conceivable that the wall 38 of the carrier element 36 positioned on the outer side of the teeth also has an array of signal conductors 40, so the dental arch 31 of the patient 15 is enclosed by signal conductors 37 along the inner side of the teeth, the biting surface and the outer side of the teeth.

[0108] FIG. 7 shows an alternative aspect of the antenna array 26 represented in FIG. 6 in which the antenna array 26 encloses a quadrant of the dental arch 31 of the patient 15. Analogously to the aspect in FIG. 6, the array of signal conductors 40 is inserted in the recess 39 of the carrier element 36 and in a position of the carrier element 36 in accordance with the application, is positioned on the biting surface and at the inner side of the teeth of the dental arch 31 of the patient 15.

[0109] The exemplary aspects shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 can in each case be shaped in accordance with the dental arch 31 of the upper or lower jaw of the patient 15. It is conceivable that two separate antenna arrays 26 are connected to the two dental arches of the patient 15 in order to enclose the entire set of teeth of the patient 15. Alternatively, the antenna array 26 has a one-piece carrier element 36, which on an upper side and a lower side has recesses 39 for receiving the dental arches of the patient 15.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-section through part of the carrier element 36 of an antenna array 26 with a holding apparatus 51. The cross-section shows the recess 39 of the carrier element 36, which receives the tooth 41 of the patient 15. The carrier element 36 of the antenna array 26 is guided along a connecting direction 53 on the tooth 41 for this purpose, with the array of signal conductors 40 being deflected in the direction of the recess 39 and molded over the tooth 41. The array of signal conductors 40 is mounted by means of the elastic element 52 of the holding apparatus 51. In the illustrated example, the elastic element 52 is a spring, which stretches the array of signal conductors 40 over the tooth 41 in the position in accordance with the application. Instead of a signal conductor 37, the antenna array 26 can also have a single signal conductor 37. In this aspect, the signal conductor 37 or the array of signal conductors 40 is at least so deformable or flexible such that it can be adapted to the surface contour of the tooth 41 without damage. As indicated in FIG. 8, the array of signal conductors 40 can have elements which are flexible and/or displaceable against each other for this purpose.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows the aspect in FIG. 8, with the carrier element 36, in the position in accordance with the application, being positioned on the dental arch 31 of the patient 15. The elastic element 52 is elastically deflected with respect to the illustration in FIG. 8 and stretches the array of signal conductors 40 over the tooth 41. The tooth 41 is enclosed along its free surface by the array of signal conductors 40. The array of signal conductors 40 is positioned on the inner side of the teeth, the biting surface and the outer side of the tooth 41 as a result. In the aspect shown, part of the carrier element 36 projects over the gingiva 42 of the patient 15. The array of signal conductors 40 preferably has a coating and/or covering (not shown), which provides thermal and electrical insulation of the signal conductor 37 from the tooth 41.

[0112] FIG. 10 shows an aspect of the antenna array 26 with a holding apparatus 51 in the position in accordance with the application on the dental arch 31 of the lower jaw of the patient 15. In the illustrated aspect, a plurality of arrays of signal conductors 37 is in each case connected to the carrier element 36 on both sides of the dental arch 31 by holding facilities 51. The plurality of arrays of signal conductors 37 can be positioned side by side or partially overlap. It is conceivable that an array of signal conductors 40 is provided for each tooth 41. An array of signal conductors 40 can also, however, enclose any part of the dental arch 31, such as a plurality of teeth for example.

[0113] FIG. 11 shows an aspect of the antenna array 26 with an electrically conductive shield 54. In this example, the carrier element 36 is designed in one piece and has in each case an encircling recess 39 for receiving the dental arches 31 of the upper and lower jaw. The electrically conductive shield 54 is positioned between the cheek 62 and the outer side of the teeth of the patient 15 and shields radio-frequency signals coming from the direction of the cheeks 62 from the antenna array 26. In the illustrated example, two electrically conductive shields 54 are positioned on both cheeks of the patient 15. It is conceivable that the antenna array 26 also has an electrically conductive shield 54 between the inner side of the teeth and the tongue 61 of the patient 15. This can be connected, for example, to the carrier element 36 or be separate from it. Preferably, for shielding magnetic resonance signals of the tongue 61, the electrically conductive shield 54 is designed to be encircling at the inner side of the teeth of the dental arch 31. In the illustrated aspect, the carrier element 36 also has a spacer 55, which produces a predetermined spacing between the two dental arches 31 in the position of the carrier element 36 in accordance with the application. The spacing is measured such that the jaw musculature of the patient 15 is stretched and a restoring force exerted on the carrier element 36, which presses the dental arches 31 against the elastic tensile force of the elastic element 52 into the recesses 39 of the carrier element 36.

[0114] The illustrated aspect also has arrays of signal conductors 37, which are positioned in an arcuate manner on the gum 63 and hyoid bone 64 of the patient 15. The arrays of signal conductors 37 are connected here to the arcuate structures on the gum and hyoid bone of the carrier element 36. It is conceivable that the side of the carrier element 36 facing the tongue 61 likewise has electrically conductive shields 54 along the gum 63 and the hyoid bone 64 in order to shield radio-frequency signals of the moving tongue 61 from the arrays of signal conductors 37 on the gum 63 and hyoid bone 64.

[0115] FIG. 12 shows one possible flowchart of the disclosed method for carrying out a magnetic resonance measurement of the set of teeth of a patient 15. The steps for positioning the antenna array 26 in the position in accordance with the application on the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 can take place, for example automatically or in a remote-controlled manner, with an appropriate apparatus.

[0116] In a step S1 of the disclosed method, the carrier element 36 with the antenna array 26 is oriented relative to the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15, with a side of the carrier element 36 shaped in accordance with the set of teeth 30 being oriented with the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 in a direction facing the set of teeth 30. The carrier element 36 is oriented outside of the oral cavity of the patient 15. The orientation of the carrier element 36 may be determined on the basis of the shape of the carrier element 36, which is shaped in accordance with the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15. For example, a plane defined by the recess 39 is oriented with the plane of the biting surface of a dental arch 31 of the patient 15 or has a small angle with respect to this plane. The antenna array can be oriented for example with the aid of a camera in that image data of one or more camera(s) is used for calculating the orientation of the carrier element 36 relative to the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15.

[0117] In a further step S2 of the disclosed method, the carrier element 36 is connected to the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 in a position in accordance with the application in that the carrier element 36 is brought in contact with the set of teeth 30 with the side shaped in accordance with the set of teeth 30. In the position in accordance with the application, the carrier element 36 forms a positive connection with the set of teeth 30, so a movement of the antenna array 26 relative to the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 is avoided during the magnetic resonance examination. A freedom of movement of the tongue and/or a jaw of the patient 15 is limited by the positioning of the carrier element 36 in the position in accordance with the application in order to reduce image artifacts due to movements of the patient 15.

[0118] In one aspect of the disclosed method, in a recess 39 facing the dental arch 31 of the patient 15, the carrier element 36 has a plastic compound 34, which molds to the dental arch 31 of the patient 15 when the carrier element 36 is connected to the set of teeth 30. The plastic compound 34 forms a positive connection to the dental arch 31 and fixes the antenna array 26 reversibly to the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15. The distribution of the plastic compound 34 on the dental arch 31 can be assisted by an encircling wall 38 on the inner side of the teeth and/or outer side of the teeth, which presses the plastic compound onto the free surface of the teeth 41, so even interdental spaces are filled with the plastic compound 34.

[0119] In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosed method, the array of signal conductors 40 of the antenna array 26 is mounted over the recess 39 of the carrier element 36 by means of the holding apparatus 51 and deflected by at least part of the dental arch 31 in a direction of the carrier element 36 facing the recess 39 when the carrier element 36 is connected to the set of teeth 30. The dental arch 31 is guided in the connecting direction 53 into the recess 39 of the carrier element 36 in order to produce a position of the antenna array 26 in accordance with the application on the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15. The array of signal conductors 40 is stretched over the free surface of the dental arch 31 on deflection due to the dental arch 31 of the patient 15 by way of the elastic element 52 of the holding apparatus 51, so the inner side of the teeth, the biting surface and the outer side of the teeth of the dental arch is enclosed by the array of signal conductors 40.

[0120] In a step S3 of the disclosed method, the magnetic resonance measurement of the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 is carried out, with the antenna array 26 detecting radio-frequency signals by means of the at least one signal conductor 37 and transmitting them to a receiver of the magnetic resonance apparatus. As described above, the radio-frequency signals can be transmitted in a wired manner or wirelessly. In the case of the wired design, the antenna array is connected to the radio-frequency unit 21 by the electrical connection cable 27, which unit represents the receiver of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

[0121] For carrying out the magnetic resonance measurement, imaging sequences are used, which allow a good differentiation of the set of teeth 30 from the surrounding tissue. As described above, imaging sequences with a very short echo time or relatively long echo time can be used here, which represent the dentin and the tooth enamel of the patient 15 in the image data in a signal intense or signal-free manner.

[0122] In one possible aspect of the disclosed method, the radio-frequency signals of the array of signal conductors 40 are detected with a plurality of receiver channels, and this enables the use of parallel imaging methods. A reduction in the measurement duration of the magnetic resonance measurement is achieved by acquiring a reduced volume of k-space data, in particular by reducing the number of phase-encoding steps. The k-space data is subsequently reconstructed by the evaluation unit 28 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 using reconstruction methods in order to generate the image data of the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15.

[0123] In an optional step S4 of the disclosed method, the carrier element 36 with the plastic compound 34 is detached from the set of teeth of the patient 15 and used to produce a positive mold of the set of teeth 30. For this purpose, the plastic compound 34 with the impression of the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 is filled, as described above, with a molding compound. After curing of the molding compound the carrier element 36 is detached from the molding compound to obtain the positive mold of the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15. The positive mold can be used, for example, as a model for producing a dental prosthesis of the patient 15. It is likewise conceivable, however, that the positive mold is used for dedicated production of an adapted antenna array 26 for further magnetic resonance examinations.

[0124] Of course the order of the above-described method steps is not fixed. Individual steps, such as the production of a positive mold of the set of teeth 30 of the patient 15 for example, can also be carried out in an order different to that described here.

[0125] Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred exemplary aspects, the disclosure is nevertheless not limited by the disclosed examples and a person skilled in the art can derive other variations herefrom without departing from the scope of the disclosure.