Large Volume Micro-CT scanning of the dentoalveolar complex as a tool to evaluate dental health in an archaeological sample compared with traditional methods

Abstract

Background Archaeological investigations of human skeletal material require non-destructive techniques. Large Volume Micro-Computed Tomography (LV Micro-CT) scanning systems allow acquisition of data from complete skulls. This study aims to determine 1) whether LV Micro-CT scanning can as a single technique provide adequate data for the analysis of the dentoalveolar complex, 2) how its outputs of dental and alveolar bone analyses compare to those of macroscopic and radiographic methods, and 3) how it compares with Small Volume Micro-Computed Tomography (SV Micro-CT), for analysis of individual teeth? Material and Methods: Five archaeological human skulls were investigated. These represented both sexes and a broad age range. Large Volume Micro-CT, Macroscopic and Radiographic methods and SV Micro-CT scanning were used. Statistical analysis of intra and inter-operator reproducibility using five observers was undertaken. Results: Large Volume Micro-CT as a stand-alone technique provided results across the full range of dentoalveolar complex categories measured. By combining traditional techniques similar results were obtained. There were high levels of reproducibility for intra-operator scoring and good inter-operator agreement from 4 operators with 1 operator whose results were outliers. Discussion: The LV Micro-CT was the only technique to singularly provide a full range of measurements. A combination of the other techniques covered a similar range of categories, but the use of multiple methods was more time consuming. For some specific measurements, SV Micro-CT provided more detailed information. Conclusion: This first study confirms the value of LV Micro-CT scanning for the analysis of the dentoalveolar complex of archaeological samples. Findings demonstrate the advantage of LV Micro-CT, which provided a comprehensive range of data as a stand-alone technique rather than combing modalities to achieve the same result. The SV Micro-CT provided higher resolution analysis for loose individual teeth due to the small size of the specimens but could not study the alveolar bone.