Guidelines for Micro–Computed Tomography Analysis of Rodent Dentoalveolar Tissues

Abstract

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Cementocyte alterations associated with experimentally induced cellular cementum apposition in Hyp mice

“…Hemi‐mandibles ( n = 6/group; 0 or 21 dpp) in 70% ethanol were scanned in a μCT machine at 70 Kvp, 76 μA, 0.5 mm Al filter, 1200 ms integration time, and 2 μm (Swiss Webster mice) or 6 μm ( Hyp and WT mice) voxel dimension using methods previously described 10 . Reconstructed DICOM files were loaded into imaging software for analysis.…”

“…Hemi-mandibles (n = 6/group; 0 or 21 dpp) in 70% ethanol were scanned in a μCT machine * at 70 Kvp, 76 μA, 0.5 mm Al filter, 1200 ms integration time, and 2 μm (Swiss Webster mice) or 6 μm (Hyp and WT mice) voxel dimension using methods previously described. 10 Reconstructed DICOM files were loaded into imaging software † for analysis. Scans were calibrated to a standard curve of five known hydroxyapatite densities (mg HA/cm 3 ), and the details on the strategy used to quantitatively assess the mineralized dental tissues are described in the Appendix.…”

“…To date, it has been challenging to separate cellular cementum from dentin by micro-CT analysis, and therefore rarely performed. We developed a strategy to accomplish this 10,[29][30][31] and extend this approach here by adapting cortical bone analysis algorithms 32 to analyze several additional characteristics of cellular cementum subregions. EIA increases cellular cementum area and thickness in apical regions of cellular cementum.…”

A critical analysis of laboratory and clinical research methods to study root and canal anatomy

“…The parameters that a researcher sets for scanning projects ultimately dictate the quality of the data that will be generated. With the different types of micro-CT machines available in the market, it is not possible to recommend definite parameters for scanning; a pilot examination is usually needed for optimisation of the scanning parameters in terms of the amount of noise, contrast between dental tissues and clarity of structures, with considerations to the time per scan, storage and cost (Chavez et al, 2021). Indeed, information provided in related literature is also helpful-as an example, the voxel size for a human tooth ranges from <10 µm to about 30 µm (Ordinola-Zapata et al, 2019;Versiani et al, 2012Versiani et al, , 2016aZhang et al, 2014), which can be optimised based on the tooth type, study objectives and details needed for qualitative and quantitative analysis.…”

“…Micro-CT data can be visualised by volume rendering conducted in a 3D data analysis software package. The operator should be well-trained with sound knowledge of root and canal anatomy to undertake appropriate segmentation procedures (masking) for each tissue type (automatic [which may require manual corrections] or manual [which is sometimes challenging to standardise]) (Chavez et al, 2021). Fine anatomical landmarks (such as accessory canals and location of the minor apical foramen/apical constriction in different longitudinal and horizontal planes) require careful attention for proper interpretation, quantitative analysis and classification (Figure 18).…”