Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography. Part 1: mandibular cheek teeth

Abstract Background Despite dental disease being a common health concern in alpacas, important dental pathology including apical infection, remains poorly understood. Treatment options are limited compared to veterinary dentistry techniques in other species. The primary goal of this study was to increase understanding of the external and internal anatomy of mandibular cheek teeth to enable the development of tooth sparing techniques in this species. Also, an objective evaluation of the sub-occlusal dentinal thickness in normal mandibular cheek teeth is warranted to understand the risks associated with reduction of overgrown teeth. Results Overall pulp anatomy was variably characterized by the presence of a common pulp chamber in younger teeth, and segmentation of pulp cavities into multiple separate pulp entities within the same tooth with increasing age. A common pulp chamber was identified in 55.3% (26/47) of teeth with a mean dental age of 1 year and 11 months (± 1 year and 8 months). Columnar segmentation was recorded in the remaining teeth with a mean dental age of 6 years and 5 months (± 3 years and 11 months). Age of segmentation of the common pulp chamber into multiple separate pulp entities shows wide variation and is dependent of the specific Triadan position. The present study illustrates the presence of disto-mesial root contacts between adjacent tooth roots, often leading to morphological adaptations, most frequently observed between Triadan 09–10s (80%) and 10–11s (67%). The measured sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was as low as 1.11 mm over some pulp horns. The sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was lower than 2, 3, and 4 mm in 13.1, 38.1 and 61.4% of performed measurements, respectively. Conclusion This study provides detailed information on age-dependent mandibular cheek teeth anatomy in alpacas, which may support the use and development of advanced dental treatments in this species such as endodontics and tooth sectioning techniques. Apical morphological adaptations caused by disto-mesial root contact between adjacent mandibular cheek teeth are clearly illustrated. The limited amount of sub-occlusal secondary dentin warrants a cautious approach with regards to dental floating in alpacas.

Download Full-text

Clinical insights into the three-dimensional anatomy of cheek teeth in alpacas based on micro-computed tomography - Part 2: Maxillary cheek teeth

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-03039-w ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kirsten Proost ◽

Matthieu N. Boone ◽

Ivàn Josipovic ◽

Bart Pardon ◽

Koen Chiers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Options ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Root Tips ◽

Pulp Tissue ◽

Dental Pathology ◽

Iatrogenic Damage ◽

Pulp Exposure

Abstract Background Scientific knowledge regarding alpaca dentistry is relatively limited despite its clinical implications. The present gap in available supportive data leads to limited treatment options for dental pathology in alpacas in comparison to other species. The main goal of this study was to gain novel insights into the general and pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth to allow development of more advanced treatment strategies in the future. Also, the risk of causing pulp exposure when floating maxillary cheek teeth was of particular interest. Concurent research focusing on the anatomy of mandibular cheek teeth has been performed accordingly. The results obtained in mandibular teeth are expected to be non-extrapolatable because of the structural differences between mandibular and maxillary teeth. Results Pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth showed great variation. A common pulp chamber was identified in 46/83 (55.4%) teeth with a mean dental age of 2 years and 7 months (± 2 years and 5 months). Pulpal segmentation was more commonly observed in teeth of increasing age. Full columnar segmentation was seen in 33/69 teeth (47.8%), whereas within-column segmentation was observed in 36/83 teeth (43.4%). Age and degree of segmentation of the pulpal tissue varied greatly according to Triadan position. Physical contact between roots of adjacent teeth was found in the majority of examined molars (range 82–94%) which resulted in morphological adaptations at the level of the root tips. The measured sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was as low as 0.46 mm above pulp horn 2 in a 14 years and 11 months old Triadan 09, emphasizing the risk of pulp exposure attributed to dental floating. Conclusion This study offers an objective description of age-dependent maxillary cheek teeth pulp morphology in alpacas. Current findings are of great value to provide a basis for the development of tooth-saving techniques as a treatment for dental disease in this species. Observed physical contact between the roots of different examined molars may be a facilitating factor in the spread of apical infection in chronically diseased cases. Finally, a conservative approach regarding dental floating is recommended in order to avoid iatrogenic damage to pulp tissue.

Download Full-text

Micro-Computed Tomography-Based Three-Dimensional Anatomical Structure of the Region Around the Pterygoid Hamulus

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1177/10556656211036302 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105566562110363

Author(s):

Jiuli Zhao ◽

Hengyuan Ma ◽

Yongqian Wang ◽

Tao Song ◽

Chanyuan Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Muscle Fibers ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Anatomical Structure ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

3 Dimensional ◽

Middle Ear Ventilation ◽

Optimal Approach ◽

Velopharyngeal Function

Objective Palatoplasty would involve the structures around the pterygoid hamulus. However, clinicians hold different opinions on the optimal approach for the muscles and palatine aponeurosis around the pterygoid hamulus. The absence of a consensus regarding this point can be attributed to the lack of investigations on the exact anatomy of this region. Therefore, we used micro-computed tomography to examine the anatomical structure of the region surrounding the pterygoid hamulus. Design Cadaveric specimens were stained with iodine–potassium iodide and scanned by micro-computed tomography to study the structures of the tissues, particularly the muscle fibers. We imported Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine images to Mimics to reconstruct a 3-dimensional model and simplified the model. Results Three muscles were present around the pterygoid hamulus, namely the palatopharyngeus (PP), superior constrictor (SC), and tensor veli palatini (TVP). The hamulus connects these muscles as a key pivot. The TVP extended to the palatine aponeurosis, which bypassed the pterygoid hamulus, and linked the PP and SC. Some muscle fibers of the SC originated from the hamulus, the aponeurosis of which was wrapped around the hamulus. There was a distinct gap between the pterygoid hamulus and the palatine aponeurosis. This formed a pulley-like structure around the pterygoid hamulus. Conclusions Transection or fracture of the palatine aponeurosis or pterygoid hamulus, respectively, may have detrimental effects on the muscles around the pterygoid hamulus, which play essential roles in the velopharyngeal function and middle ear ventilation. Currently, cleft palate repair has limited treatment options with proven successful outcomes.

Download Full-text

Pulp Chamber Analysis of Primary Molars Using Micro-Computed Tomography: Preliminary Findings

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.17796/1053-4625-43.6.4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 382-387 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jason Cheong ◽

Sara Chiam ◽

Nigel M King ◽

Robert P Anthonappa

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Primary Molars ◽

Second Primary ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Pulp Chamber ◽

Tooth Structure ◽

Maxillary Molars ◽

Tooth Preparation ◽

Post Hoc

Purpose: To determine the three-dimensional (3D) tooth morphology of all primary molars and to identify and consolidate positional factors that could potentially have an effect on tooth preparation. Study design: Thirty-one non-carious primary molars were scanned using micro-CT and reconstructed using 3D analysis software. Each pulp horn to its respective cusp tip distance (PHCD) was measured as well as the distances from the pulp chamber to the mesial, distal, lingual and buccal surfaces. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: The mesio-buccal and disto-buccal PHCD was significantly shorter than the mesio-lingual and disto-lingual PHCDs in maxillary second primary molars (P < 0.05). Mesial, distal and lingual walls were thinner than the buccal walls of mandibular molars while in maxillary molars; the mesial and distal walls were thinner than the palatal and buccal walls (P < 0.05). Conclusions: First primary molars have thinner tooth structure surrounding the pulp than second primary molars in the same arch with the exception of the buccal walls of all molars and lingual walls of maxillary molars. The mesial and distal walls are thinner than the buccal walls of all molars and lingual walls in maxillary molars.

Download Full-text

An Overview of Dementias

Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) ◽

10.1044/sasd21.3.75 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 75-84

Author(s):

Venkata Vijaya K. Dalai ◽

Jason E. Childress ◽

Paul E Schulz

Keyword(s):

Clinical Presentation ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Current Treatment ◽

Great Variability ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Life Threatening ◽

The Common ◽

Neurodegenerative Dementias ◽

Made In

Dementia is a major public health concern that afflicts an estimated 24.3 million people worldwide. Great strides are being made in order to better diagnose, prevent, and treat these disorders. Dementia is associated with multiple complications, some of which can be life-threatening, such as dysphagia. There is great variability between dementias in terms of when dysphagia and other swallowing disorders occur. In order to prepare the reader for the other articles in this publication discussing swallowing issues in depth, the authors of this article will provide a brief overview of the prevalence, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, current treatment options, and implications for eating for the common forms of neurodegenerative dementias.

Download Full-text

Observation of the Pulp Chamber of Maxillary First Premolars: A Micro-computed Tomographic Study

Current Medical Imaging Formerly Current Medical Imaging Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573405615666191016125937 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 224-230

Author(s):

Gozde Serindere ◽

Ceren Aktuna Belgin ◽

Kaan Orhan

Keyword(s):

Root Canal ◽

Age Groups ◽

Slice Thickness ◽

Micro Ct ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Pulp Chamber ◽

Anatomical Structures ◽

Computed Tomographic ◽

The Mean ◽

Chamber Floor

Background: There are a few studies about the evaluation of maxillary first premolars internal structure with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The aim of this study was to assess morphological features of the pulp chamber in maxillary first premolar teeth using micro- CT. Methods: Extracted 15 maxillary first premolar teeth were selected from the patients who were in different age groups. The distance between the pulp orifices, the diameter of the pulp and the width of the pulp chamber floor were measured on the micro-CT images with the slice thickness of 13.6 µm. The number of root canal orifices and the presence of isthmus were evaluated. Results: The mean diameter of orifices was 0.73 mm on the buccal side while it was 0.61 mm on palatinal side. The mean distance between pulp orifices was 2.84 mm. The mean angle between pulp orifices was -21.53°. The mean height of pulp orifices on the buccal side was 4.32 mm while the mean height of pulp orifices on the palatinal side was 3.56 mm. The most observed shape of root canal orifices was flattened ribbon. No isthmus was found in specimens. Conclusion: Minor anatomical structures can be evaluated in more detail with micro-CT. The observation of the pulp cavity was analyzed using micro-CT.

Download Full-text

Application of subject-specific adaptive mechanical loading for bone healing in a mouse tail vertebral defect

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81132-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angad Malhotra ◽

Matthias Walle ◽

Graeme R. Paul ◽

Gisela A. Kuhn ◽

Ralph Müller

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Loading ◽

Bone Defect ◽

Bone Healing ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Computed Tomography Images ◽

Bone Defect Healing ◽

Subject Specific

AbstractMethods to repair bone defects arising from trauma, resection, or disease, continue to be sought after. Cyclic mechanical loading is well established to influence bone (re)modelling activity, in which bone formation and resorption are correlated to micro-scale strain. Based on this, the application of mechanical stimulation across a bone defect could improve healing. However, if ignoring the mechanical integrity of defected bone, loading regimes have a high potential to either cause damage or be ineffective. This study explores real-time finite element (rtFE) methods that use three-dimensional structural analyses from micro-computed tomography images to estimate effective peak cyclic loads in a subject-specific and time-dependent manner. It demonstrates the concept in a cyclically loaded mouse caudal vertebral bone defect model. Using rtFE analysis combined with adaptive mechanical loading, mouse bone healing was significantly improved over non-loaded controls, with no incidence of vertebral fractures. Such rtFE-driven adaptive loading regimes demonstrated here could be relevant to clinical bone defect healing scenarios, where mechanical loading can become patient-specific and more efficacious. This is achieved by accounting for initial bone defect conditions and spatio-temporal healing, both being factors that are always unique to the patient.

Download Full-text

In-Vivo Degradation Behavior and Osseointegration of 3D Powder-Printed Calcium Magnesium Phosphate Cement Scaffolds

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14040946 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 946

Author(s):

Katharina Kowalewicz ◽

Elke Vorndran ◽

Franziska Feichtner ◽

Anja-Christina Waselau ◽

Manuel Brueckner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Bone Substitutes ◽

Magnesium Phosphate ◽

Degradation Behavior ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Calcium Magnesium ◽

Interest In Research ◽

In Vivo Degradation ◽

Volume Decrease

Calcium magnesium phosphate cements (CMPCs) are promising bone substitutes and experience great interest in research. Therefore, in-vivo degradation behavior, osseointegration and biocompatibility of three-dimensional (3D) powder-printed CMPC scaffolds were investigated in the present study. The materials Mg225 (Ca0.75Mg2.25(PO4)2) and Mg225d (Mg225 treated with diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAHP)) were implanted as cylindrical scaffolds (h = 5 mm, Ø = 3.8 mm) in both lateral femoral condyles in rabbits and compared with tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Treatment with DAHP results in the precipitation of struvite, thus reducing pore size and overall porosity and increasing pressure stability. Over 6 weeks, the scaffolds were evaluated clinically, radiologically, with Micro-Computed Tomography (µCT) and histological examinations. All scaffolds showed excellent biocompatibility. X-ray and in-vivo µCT examinations showed a volume decrease and increasing osseointegration over time. Structure loss and volume decrease were most evident in Mg225. Histologically, all scaffolds degraded centripetally and were completely traversed by new bone, in which the remaining scaffold material was embedded. While after 6 weeks, Mg225d and TCP were still visible as a network, only individual particles of Mg225 were present. Based on these results, Mg225 and Mg225d appear to be promising bone substitutes for various loading situations that should be investigated further.

Download Full-text

The orthopedic characterization of cfap298tm304 mutants validate zebrafish to faithfully model human AIS

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86856-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marie-Hardy Laura ◽

Cantaut-Belarif Yasmine ◽

Pietton Raphaël ◽

Slimani Lotfi ◽

Pascal-Moussellard Hugues

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Fluid Circulation ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Csf Flow ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation ◽

Clinical Criteria ◽

Brain And Spinal Cord ◽

The Brain

AbstractCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation relies on the beating of motile cilia projecting in the lumen of the brain and spinal cord cavities Mutations in genes involved in cilia motility disturb cerebrospinal fluid circulation and result in scoliosis-like deformities of the spine in juvenile zebrafish. However, these defects in spine alignment have not been validated with clinical criteria used to diagnose adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aim of this study was to describe, using orthopaedic criteria the spinal deformities of a zebrafish mutant model of AIS targeting a gene involved in cilia polarity and motility, cfap298tm304. The zebrafish mutant line cfap298tm304, exhibiting alteration of CSF flow due to defective cilia motility, was raised to the juvenile stage. The analysis of mutant animals was based on micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), which was conducted in a QUANTUM FX CALIPER, with a 59 µm-30 mm protocol. 63% of the cfap298tm304 zebrafish analyzed presented a three-dimensional deformity of the spine, that was evolutive during the juvenile phase, more frequent in females, with a right convexity, a rotational component and involving at least one dislocation. We confirm here that cfap298tm304 scoliotic individuals display a typical AIS phenotype, with orthopedic criteria mirroring patient’s diagnosis.

Download Full-text

Heidelberg-mCT-Analyzer: a novel method for standardized microcomputed-tomography-guided evaluation of scaffold properties in bone and tissue research

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.150496 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (11) ◽

pp. 150496 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Fabian Westhauser ◽

Christian Weis ◽

Melanie Hoellig ◽

Tyler Swing ◽

Gerhard Schmidmaier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Bone Tissue Engineering ◽

Bone Tissue ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Characteristic Parameter ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Independent Analysis ◽

Scaffold Properties

Bone tissue engineering and bone scaffold development represent two challenging fields in orthopaedic research. Micro-computed tomography (mCT) allows non-invasive measurement of these scaffolds’ properties in vivo . However, the lack of standardized mCT analysis protocols and, therefore, the protocols’ user-dependency make interpretation of the reported results difficult. To overcome these issues in scaffold research, we introduce the Heidelberg-mCT-Analyzer. For evaluation of our technique, we built 10 bone-inducing scaffolds, which underwent mCT acquisition before ectopic implantation (T0) in mice, and at explantation eight weeks thereafter (T1). The scaffolds’ three-dimensional reconstructions were automatically segmented using fuzzy clustering with fully automatic level-setting. The scaffold itself and its pores were then evaluated for T0 and T1. Analysing the scaffolds’ characteristic parameter set with our quantification method showed bone formation over time. We were able to demonstrate that our algorithm obtained the same results for basic scaffold parameters (e.g. scaffold volume, pore number and pore volume) as other established analysis methods. Furthermore, our algorithm was able to analyse more complex parameters, such as pore size range, tissue mineral density and scaffold surface. Our imaging and post-processing strategy enables standardized and user-independent analysis of scaffold properties, and therefore is able to improve the quantitative evaluations of scaffold-associated bone tissue-engineering projects.

Download Full-text

Gynecology Meets Big Data in the Disruptive Innovation Medical Era: State-of-Art and Future Prospects

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5058

Author(s):

Rola Khamisy-Farah ◽

Leonardo B. Furstenau ◽

Jude Dzevela Kong ◽

Jianhong Wu ◽

Nicola Luigi Bragazzi

Keyword(s):

Big Data ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Disruptive Innovation ◽

Healthcare Management ◽

The Internet ◽

Big Data Visualization

Tremendous scientific and technological achievements have been revolutionizing the current medical era, changing the way in which physicians practice their profession and deliver healthcare provisions. This is due to the convergence of various advancements related to digitalization and the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs)—ranging from the internet of things (IoT) and the internet of medical things (IoMT) to the fields of robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and massively parallel and cloud computing. Further progress has been made in the fields of addictive manufacturing and three-dimensional (3D) printing, sophisticated statistical tools such as big data visualization and analytics (BDVA) and artificial intelligence (AI), the use of mobile and smartphone applications (apps), remote monitoring and wearable sensors, and e-learning, among others. Within this new conceptual framework, big data represents a massive set of data characterized by different properties and features. These can be categorized both from a quantitative and qualitative standpoint, and include data generated from wet-lab and microarrays (molecular big data), databases and registries (clinical/computational big data), imaging techniques (such as radiomics, imaging big data) and web searches (the so-called infodemiology, digital big data). The present review aims to show how big and smart data can revolutionize gynecology by shedding light on female reproductive health, both in terms of physiology and pathophysiology. More specifically, they appear to have potential uses in the field of gynecology to increase its accuracy and precision, stratify patients, provide opportunities for personalized treatment options rather than delivering a package of “one-size-fits-it-all” healthcare management provisions, and enhance its effectiveness at each stage (health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics).

Download Full-text