• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2013

Periodontal inflammation increases the risk of tooth loss, particularly in cases where there is an associated loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament (PDL). Histological and morphometric evaluation of periodontal inflammation is difficult. Especially, the lengths of the periodontal ligament and interdental alveolar bone space have not been quantified. A quantitative imaging procedure applicable to an animal model would be an important clinical study. The purpose of this study was to quantify the loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament by evaluation with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Another purpose was to investigate differences in infections with systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament model on mice. This study showed that linear measurements of alveolar bone loss were represented with an increasing trend of the periodontal ligament length and interdental alveolar process space. The effects of systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on an E. coli LPS-induced periodontitis mice model were investigated in this research. Loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and calculated by the two- and three dimensional microstructure morphometric parameters. Also, there was a significantly increasing trend of the interdental alveolar process space in E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli LPS compared to PBS. And E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli LPS had a slightly increasing trend of the periodontal ligament length. The increasing trend of TNF-${\alpha}$ on the LPS-induced mice model in this experiment supports the previous studies on the contribution of periodontal diseases in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Also, our findings offer a unique model for the study of the role of LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ in systemic and chronic local inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we performed rapidly quantification of the periodontal inflammatory processes and periodontal bone loss using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in mice.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate remineralizing effect of three fluoride regimens on artificially demineralized enamel around orthodontic bracket by analyzing mineral density (MD) acquired from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Methods: Forty-eight bracket bonded bovine incisors were prepared to create demineralized enamel (DE) surface. The samples were divided into four groups according to the fluoride regimen: 1) no fluoridation, 2) 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel, 3) fluoridated toothpaste, and 4) 0.05% sodium fluoride mouthwash. Micro-CT was scanned after demineralization (T0), and 2 weeks (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) of fluoridation. Results: APF gel showed highest remineralization of DE during T1-T0 interval among the groups (p < 0.05); followed by toothpaste, mouthwash and no fluoridation. APF gel and toothpaste demonstrated significant increase in MD after 4 weeks of application (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Remineralization effects of three fluoride regimens were depicted through micro-CT analysis, of which APF gel was most effective.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.13-22
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• 2008

Internal voids affecting the mechanical properties of wood composite were classified into two catagories and characteristics of voids were examined according to density variation of strandboard. The void distribution and content of strandboard according to board density were measured by X-ray computed tomography system and analized using image processing software. Prior to investigation, the densities of strandboard were measured by densitometer and the results were showed high correlation with conventional oven drying method. Based on the image analysis conducted on captured images by X-ray tomography, low resolution can be used to capture the macro-voids (between strand) but not the micro-voids (within strands). Intermediate resolution can be used to capture both the macro and the micro-voids and high resolution can be successfully used to capture the majority of the micro-voids. The content of macro-void was measured and content of micro-void was computed by corresponding related equation. The macro-void distribution can be successfully understood and void content can be correctly estimated through the results.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2007

Recently, small-animal imaging technology has been rapidly developed for longitudinal screening of laboratory animals such as mice and rats. One of newly developed imaging modalities for small animals is an x-ray micro-CT (computed tomography). We have developed two types of x-ray micro-CT systems for small animal imaging. Both systems use flat-panel x-ray detectors and micro-focus x-ray sources to obtain high spatial resolution of $10{\mu}m$. In spite of the relatively large field-of-view (FOV) of flat-panel detectors, the spatial resolution in the whole-body imaging of rats should be sacrificed down to the order of $100{\mu}m$ due to the limited number of x-ray detector pixels. Though the spatial resolution of cone-beam CTs can be improved by moving an object toward an x-ray source, the FOV should be reduced and the object size is also limited. To overcome the limitation of the object size and resolution, we introduce zoom-in micro-tomography for high-resolution imaging of a local region-of-interest (ROI) inside a large object. For zoom-in imaging, we use two kinds of projection data in combination, one from a full FOV scan of the whole object and the other from a limited FOV scan of the ROI. Both of our micro-CT systems have zoom-in micro-tomography capability. One of both is a micro-CT system with a fixed gantry mounted with an x-ray source and a detector. An imaged object is laid on a rotating table between a source and a detector. The other micro-CT system has a rotating gantry with a fixed object table, which makes whole scans without rotating an object. In this paper, we report the results of in vivo small animal study using the developed micro-CTs.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.241-249
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the volume, amount, and localization of root resorption in the maxillary first premolars using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) after expansion with four different rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances. Methods: In total, 20 patients who required RME and extraction of the maxillary first premolars were recruited for this study. The patients were divided into four groups according to the appliance used: mini-implant-supported hybrid RME appliance, hyrax RME appliance, acrylic-bonded RME appliance, and full-coverage RME appliance. The same activation protocol (one activation daily) was implemented in all groups. For each group, the left and right maxillary first premolars were scanned using micro-CT, and each root were divided into six regions. Resorption craters in the six regions were analyzed using special CTAn software for direct volumetric measurements. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni adjustment. Results: The hybrid expansion appliance resulted in the lowest volume of root resorption and the smallest number of craters (p < 0.001). In terms of overall root resorption, no significant difference was found among the other groups (p > 0.05). Resorption was greater on the buccal surface than on the lingual surface in all groups except the hybrid appliance group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that all expansion appliances cause root resorption, with resorption craters generally concentrated on the buccal surface. However, the mini-implant-supported hybrid RME appliance causes lesser root resorption than do other conventional appliances.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.189-196
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• 2006

Micro computed tomography (micro-CT) has been used for in vivo animal study owing to its noninvasive and high spatial resolution capability. However, the sizes of existing detectors for micro-CT systems are too small to obtain whole-body images of a small animal object with $\sim$10 micron resolution and a part of its bones or other organs should be extracted. So, we have introduced the zoom-in micro-tomography technique which can obtain high-resolution images of a local region of an live animal object without extracting samples. In order to verify our zoom-in technique, we performed in vivo animal bone study. We prepared some SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats for making osteoporosis models. They were divided into control and ovariectomized groups. Again, the ovariectomized group is divided into two groups fed with normal food and with calcium-free food. And we took 3D tomographic images of their femurs with 20 micron resolution using our zoom-in tomography technique and observed the bone changes for 12 weeks. We selected ROI (region of interest) of a femur image and applied 2D FDT (fuzzy distance transform) to measure the trabecular bone thickness. The measured results showed obvious bone changes and big differences between control and ovariectomized groups. However, we found that the reliability of the measurement depended on the selection of ROI in a bone image for thickness calculation. So, we extended the method to 3D FDT technique. We selected 3D VOI (volume of interest) in the obtained 3D tomographic images and applied 3D FDT algorithm. The results showed that the 3D technique could give more accurate and reliable measurement.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.348-356
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• 2022

Supernumerary teeth develop from excessive proliferation and development of the dental lamina. Supernumerary teeth can cause several problems, including ectopic eruption, delayed eruption, root resorption of adjacent teeth, and diastema. Supernumerary teeth in infancy are rare and have rarely been reported. Case of a 2-day-old infant with 3 supernumerary teeth is presented here and the patient was followed up for 21 months. The erupted supernumerary tooth in the primary dentition was extracted under moderate sedation at the age of 14 months. Microcomputed tomography analysis of the extracted tooth confirmed microscopic root malformation. After extraction, the midline diastema was reduced and oral hygiene improved. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent complications of supernumerary teeth.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.263-267
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• 2014

Objective: To three-dimensionally elucidate the effects of occlusal hypofunction on the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone proper of rat molars by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Methods: Occlusal function in the molar area was restricted by attaching an anterior bite plate on the maxillary incisors and a metal cap on the mandibular incisors of 5-week-old male Wistar rats for 1 week. The periodontal ligament space and alveolar bone proper around roots of the mandibular first molar were assessed by histology and micro-CT. Results: The periodontal ligament space was narrower and the alveolar bone proper was sparser and less continuous in the hypofunction group than in the control group. Further, both the volume of the periodontal ligament and the volumetric ratio of the alveolar bone proper to the total tissue in the region of interest were significantly lower in the hypofunction group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Occlusal hypofunction induces atrophic changes in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone proper of rat molars.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the accuracy of micro-computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting accessory canals in primary molars. Materials and Methods: Forty-one extracted human primary first and second molars were embedded in wax blocks and scanned using micro-CT and CBCT. After the images were taken, the samples were processed using a clearing technique and examined under a stereomicroscope in order to establish the gold standard for this study. The specimens were classified into three groups: maxillary molars, mandibular molars with three canals, and mandibular molars with four canals. Differences between the gold standard and the observations made using the imaging methods were calculated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient test. Results: The presence of accessory canals in micro-CT images of maxillary and mandibular root canals showed a statistically significant correlation with the stereomicroscopic images used as a gold standard. No statistically significant correlation was found between the CBCT findings and the stereomicroscopic images. Conclusion: Although micro-CT is not suitable for clinical use, it provides more detailed information about minor anatomical structures. However, CBCT is convenient for clinical use but may not be capable of adequately analyzing the internal anatomy of primary teeth.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.422-427
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• 2009

Computed tomography(CT) has been applied to measure micro-defects in the aluminum knuckle parts manufactured by the thixoforming process. 6061 aluminum alloys were used to form knuckle samples in the semi-solid temperature after the SIMA processing of billets. Tensile specimens were cut from the different locations in a thixoformed knuckle. The size and the distribution of forming defects in tensile specimens were analyzed using CT scanning and image analysis technology before tensile tests. It has been qualitatively shown that the stress-strain curves were significantly affected by the size and the distribution of forming defects although the defect sizes lie in the range of micro-meters.