Caries remains prevalent throughout modern society and is the main disease in the field of dentistry. Although studies of this disease have used diverse methodology, recently, X-ray microtomography has gained popularity as a non-destructive, 3-dimensional (3D) analytical technique, and has several advantages over the conventional methods. According to X-ray source, it is classified as monochromatic or polychromatic with the latter being more widely used due to the high cost of the monochromatic source despite some advantages. The determination of mineral density profiles based on changes in X-ray attenuation is the principle of this method and calibration and image processing procedures are needed for the better image and reproducible measurements. Using this tool, 3D reconstruction is also possible and it enables to visualize the internal structures of dental caries. With the advances in the computer technology, more diverse applications are being studied, such automated caries assessment algorithms.
Calibration ; Dental Caries ; Dentistry ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the osteogenic effects of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in rabbit calvarial defects with DDM and anorganic bovine bone (ABB) combined with rhBMP-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four round defects with 8-mm diameters were created in each rabbit calvaria. Each defect was treated with one of the following: 1) DDM, 2) ABB/rhBMP-2, or 3) DDM/rhBMP-2. The rhBMP-2 was combined with DDM and ABB according to a stepwise dry and dip lyophilizing protocol. Histological and microcomputed tomography (µCT) analyses were performed to measure the amount of bone formation and bone volume after 2- and 8-week healing intervals. RESULTS: Upon histological observation at two weeks, the DDM and ABB/rhBMP-2 groups showed osteoconductive bone formation, while the DDM/rhBMP-2 group showed osteoconductive and osteoinductive bone formation. New bone formation was higher in DDM/rhBMP-2, DDM and ABB decreasing order. The amounts of bone formation were very similar at two weeks; however, at eight weeks, the DDM/rhBMP-2 group showed a two-fold greater amount of bone formation compared to the DDM and ABB/rhBMP-2 groups. The µCT analysis showed markedly increased bone volume in the DDM/rhBMP-2 group at eight weeks compared with that of the DDM group. Notably, there was a slight decrease in bone volume in the ABB/rhBMP-2 group at eight weeks. There were no significant differences among the DDM, ABB/rhBMP-2, and DDM/rhBMP-2 groups at two or eight weeks. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, DDM appears to be a suitable carrier for rhBMP-2 in orthotopic sites.
Dentin* ; Humans* ; Osteogenesis ; Skull ; X-Ray Microtomography

Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Transplants ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and evaluate the basic properties in vitro of a novel small intestinal submucosa (SIS) sponge, and to describe the bone formation ability of the SIS sponge in vivo. METHODS: The SIS sponge was prepared by freeze-drying method. To evaluate the physicochemical properties of the sponge, electron microscope observation, porosity test, water absorption ability and mechanical property were conducted in vitro. The cytotoxicity of the SIS sponge was performed by cell counting kit-8 method. In vivo experiments, eighteen extraction sockets of premolar of three Beagle dogs were randomly divided into three groups: SIS sponge group (SIS sponge), positive control group (Bio-Oss granules and Bio-Gide membrane) and control group(no treatment). The animals were sacrificed 4 weeks and 12 weeks after operation, and micro computed tomography (Micro-CT) was applied to measure the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone mineralized density (BMD). The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The average pore diameter of the SIS sponge was (194.90±30.39) μm, the porosity was 92.31%±0.24%, the water absorption rate was 771.50%±40.90%, and the compressive elastic modulus was (2.20±0.19) kPa. There was no significant difference in cell proliferation ability between SIS sponge and control group (P>0.05). Micro-CT quantitative results showed that BV/TV of SIS sponge group (52.81%±3.21%) and positive control group (58.30%±9.36%) were significantly higher than that of control group (38.65%±4.80%) 4 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). The BMD of SIS sponge group [(887.09±61.02) mg/cm³], positive control group [(952.05±132.78) mg/cm³] and control group [(879.29±74.27) mg/cm³] showed no statistical difference 4 weeks after operation (P>0.05). The BV/TV of positive control group (60.57%± 6.56%) was significantly higher than that of SIS sponge group (47.89%±3.59%) and control group (42.99%±2.54%) 12 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). BMD of SIS sponge group [(1047±89.95) mg/cm³] and positive control group [(1101.37±98.85) mg/cm³] were significantly higher than that of control group [(890.36±79.79) mg/cm³] 12 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The SIS sponge has satisfying physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The SIS sponge significantly increased bone volume fraction in the early stage of bone formation (4 weeks) and bone mineralized density in the late stage of bone formation (12 weeks).
Animals ; Dogs ; Osteogenesis ; X-Ray Microtomography

Complete understanding of the exterior and interior structure of the tooth would be prerequisite to the successful clinical results, especially in the restorative and endodontic treatment. Although three-dimensional reconstruction method using x-ray microtomography could not be used in clinical cases, it may be the best way to reconstruct the morphologic characteristics of the tooth structure in detail without destructing the tooth itself. This study was done to three dimensionally reconstruct every teeth in the arch in order to increase the understanding about the endodontic treatment and to promote the effective restorative treatment by upgrading the knowledge of the tooth morphology. After placing tooth between the microfocus x-ray tube and the image intensifier to obtain two-dimensional images of each level, scanning was done under the condition of 80 keV, 100 microA, 16.8 magnification with the spot size of 8 microm. Cross-section pixel size of 16.28 microm and 48.83 cross-section to cross-section distance were also used. From the results of this study, precise three dimensional reconstructed images of every teeth could be obtained. Furthermore, it was possible to see image that showed interested area only, for example, enamel portion only, pulp and dentin area without enamel structure, pulp only, combination image of enamel and pulp, etc. It was also possible to see transparent image without some part of tooth structure. This image might be used as a guide when restoring and preparing the full and partial crown by showing the positional and morphological relationship between the pulp and the outer tooth structure. Another profit may be related with the fact that it would promote the understanding of the interior structure by making observation of the auto-rotating image of .AVI file from the various direction possible.
Crowns ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Tooth* ; X-Ray Microtomography*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the complex course of the mandibular canal using 3D reconstruction of microCT images and to provide the diagram for clinicians to help them understand at the interforaminal region in Korean. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six hemimandibles obtained from cadavers were examined using microCT, and the images were reconstructed. At both the midpoint of mental foramen and the tip of anterior loop, the bucco-lingual position, the height from the mandibular inferior border, the horizontal distance between two points, and position relative to tooth site on the mandibular canal were measured. The angle that the mental canal diverges from the mandibular canal was measured in posteriorsuperior and lateral-superior direction. RESULTS: The buccal distance from the mandibular canal was significantly much shorter than lingual distance at both the mental foramen and the tip of anterior loop. The mandibular canal at the tip of anterior loop was significantly located closer to buccal side and higher than at the mental foramen. And the mental canal most commonly diverged from the mandibular canal below the first premolar by approximately 50° posterior-superior and 41° lateral-superior direction, which had with a mean length of 5.19 mm in front of the mental foramen, and exited to the mental foramen below the second premolar. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that it could form a hazardous tetrahedron space at the interforaminal region, thus, the clinician need to pay attention to the width of a premolar tooth from the mental foramen during dental implant placement.
Bicuspid ; Cadaver ; Dental Implants ; Tooth ; X-Ray Microtomography

PURPOSE: The microstructural characteristics of trabecular bone were identified using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), in order to develop a potential strategy for implant surface improvement to facilitate osseointegration. METHODS: Alveolar bone specimens from the cadavers of 30 humans were scanned by high-resolution micro-CT and reconstructed. Volumes of interest chosen within the jaw were classified according to Hounsfield units into 4 bone quality categories. Several structural parameters were measured and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Alveolar bone specimens with D1 bone quality had significantly higher values for all structural parameters than the other bone quality categories, except for trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). The percentage of bone volume, trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and trabecular number (Tb.N) varied significantly among bone quality categories. Tb.Sp varied markedly across the bone quality categories (D1: 0.59±0.22 mm, D4: 1.20±0.48 mm), whereas Tb.Th had similar values (D1: 0.30±0.08 mm, D4: 0.22±0.05 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Bone quality depended on Tb.Sp and number—that is, endosteal space architecture—rather than bone surface and Tb.Th. Regardless of bone quality, Tb.Th showed little variation. These factors should be taken into account when developing individualized implant surface topographies.
Cadaver ; Dental Implants ; Humans* ; Jaw ; Osseointegration ; X-Ray Microtomography

A high resolution Micro-CT system for small animal imaging is introduced in this paper. Micro-focus X-ray tube with focal diameter of 100 microm and flat panel detector with imaging area of 13cm x 13cm are adopted in this system. The data acquired in rotation scanning is reconstructed with cone beam algorithm. The resolving power of the detector is measured to be 31 lp/cm at 10% of the MTF. The resolution of the Micro-CT system could achieve 185 m when the magnification factor is 1.94. Thighbone of a rabbit is used as sample imaging with the system. The trabecular bone could be imaged clearly. And the ability of small animal imaging of the system has been demonstrated.
Animals ; Equipment Design ; Rabbits ; X-Ray Microtomography ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare root canal volume change and canal transportation by Vortex Blue (VB; Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties), ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer), and ProTaper Universal (PTU; Dentsply Maillefer) nickel-titanium rotary files in curved root canals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty canals with 20°–45° of curvature from extracted human molars were used. Root canal instrumentation was performed with VB, PTN, and PTU files up to #30.06, X3, and F3, respectively. Changes in root canal volume before and after the instrumentation, and the amount and direction of canal transportation at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the root apex were measured by using micro-computed tomography. Data of canal volume change were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test, while data of amount and direction of transportation were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among 3 groups in terms of canal volume change (p > 0.05). For the amount of transportation, PTN showed significantly less transportation than PTU at 3 mm level (p = 0.005). VB files showed no significant difference in canal transportation at all 3 levels with either PTN or PTU files. Also, VB files showed unique inward transportation tendency in the apical area. CONCLUSIONS: Other than PTN produced less amount of transportation than PTU at 3 mm level, all 3 file systems showed similar level of canal volume change and transportation, and VB file system could prepare the curved canals without significant shaping errors.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Molar ; Transportation ; X-Ray Microtomography

PURPOSE: Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) is difficult to measure on micro-computed tomography (CT) because of artifacts that hinder accurate differentiation of the bone and implant. This study presents an advanced algorithm for measuring BIC in micro-CT acquisitions using a spiral scanning technique, with improved differentiation of bone and implant materials. METHODS: Five sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched implants were used. Three implants were subjected to surface analysis, and 2 were inserted into a New Zealand white rabbit, with each tibia receiving 1 implant. The rabbit was sacrificed after 28 days. The en bloc specimens were subjected to spiral (SkyScan 1275, Bruker) and round (SkyScan 1172, SkyScan 1275) micro-CT scanning to evaluate differences in the images resulting from the different scanning techniques. The partial volume effect (PVE) was optimized as much as possible. BIC was measured with both round and spiral scanning on the SkyScan 1275, and the results were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the round micro-CT scanning, the spiral scanning showed much clearer images. In addition, the PVE was optimized, which allowed accurate BIC measurements to be made. Round scanning on the SkyScan 1275 resulted in higher BIC measurements than spiral scanning on the same machine; however, the higher measurements on round scanning were confirmed to be false, and were found to be the result of artifacts in the void, rather than bone. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that spiral scanning can reduce metal artifacts, thereby allowing clear differentiation of bone and implant. Moreover, the PVE, which is a factor that inevitably hinders accurate BIC measurements, was optimized through an advanced algorithm.
Artifacts ; Bone-Implant Interface ; New Zealand ; Tibia ; X-Ray Microtomography