Ten Years of Micro-CT in Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Literature Overview

Abstract

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a consolidated imaging technology allowing non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) qualitative and quantitative analysis by the observation of microstructures with high resolution. This paper aims at delivering a structured overview of literature about studies performed using micro-CT in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery (MFS) by analyzing the entire set of articles to portray the state of the art of the last ten years of scientific publications on the topic. It draws the scenario focusing on biomaterials, in vitro and in/ex vivo applications, bone structure analysis, and tissue engineering. It confirms the relevance of the micro-CT analysis for traditional research applications and mainly in dentistry with respect to MFS. Possible developments are discussed in relation to the use of the micro-CT combined with other, traditional, and not, techniques and technologies, as the elaboration of 3D models based on micro-CT images and emerging numerical methods. Micro-CT results contribute effectively with whose ones obtained from other techniques in an integrated multimethod approach and for multidisciplinary studies, opening new possibilities and potential opportunities for the next decades of developments.

Ti6Al4V mandibular devices by additive manufacturing: Assessment of as‐built quality

“…Design properties, powder quality, the setting up of process parameters and post-processing are some of the aspects that may affect the final quality and performance of the printed objects. In a context of regulated and critical products as the medical devices, the possibility to assess the achieved quality also at intermediate steps, Micro-CT analysis is considered as one of the major tools for the product quality assessment of AM products (Bibb et al, 2011;Campioni, Cacciotti et al, 2020;Campioni, Pecci et al, 2020;Center for Devices & Radiological Health, 2017). Micro-CT images showed that the hole dimensions and the shape were changed (coloured edges of some holes are evidenced in Figure 6); this kind of inaccuracy is present in all the specimens analysed.…”

“…Micro‐CT analysis is considered as one of the major tools for the product quality assessment of AM products (Bibb et al, 2011; Campioni, Cacciotti et al, 2020; Campioni, Pecci et al, 2020; Center for Devices & Radiological Health, 2017). Micro‐CT images showed that the hole dimensions and the shape were changed (coloured edges of some holes are evidenced in Figure 6); this kind of inaccuracy is present in all the specimens analysed.…”

Micro-computed tomography in preventive and restorative dental research: A review

“…Some limitations of micro-CT relate to the scanning and reconstruction processing time, the high costs of this technique, and the necessity of computer expertise. 1 10 The image file sizes are large (around 3 GB). As a result, data acquisition can be a problem when it is necessary to store and retrieve large volumes of files.…”

“… 4 Micro-CT systems provide an opportunity to analyze microstructures, defects, and differences in density and morphology. Several types of samples - encompassing mineralized hard tissues, soft tissues, and solid or liquid materials - can be examined using micro-CT. 5 10 …”

“… 15 Therefore, micro-CT images are anticipated to have higher accuracy for diagnostic measurements to detect carious lesions, periodontal disease, root resorption, and intra-operative imaging than CBCT images. 10 …”