How image-processing parameters can influence the assessment of dental materials using micro-CT

Author(s)

Torres, Fernanda Ferrari Esteves ^[1] ; Jacobs, Reinhilde ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; EzEldeen, Mostafa ^{[3, 4]} ; Faria-Vasconcelos, Karla de ^{[3, 4]} ; Guerreiro-Tanomaru, Juliane Maria ^[1] ; Santos, Bernardo Camargo dos ^[5] ; Tanomaru-Filho, Mario ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Dent, Dept Restorat Dent, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] Karolinska Inst, Dept Dent Med, Stockholm - Sweden

^[3] Univ Hosp Leuven, Oral & Maxillofacial Surg, Leuven - Belgium

^[4] Katholieke Univ Leuven, Fac Med, Dept Imaging & Pathol, OMFS IMPATH Res Grp, Leuven - Belgium

^[5] Fed Univ Rio de Janeiro UFRJ, Dept Nucl Energy, Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: IMAGING SCIENCE IN DENTISTRY; v. 50, n. 2, p. 161-168, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of voxel size and different post-processing algorithms on the analysis of dental materials using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods : Root-end cavities were prepared in extracted maxillary premolars, filled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM), and scanned using micro-CT. The volume and porosity of materials were evaluated and compared using voxel sizes of 5, 10, and 20 mu m, as well as different software tools (post-processing algorithms). The CTAn or MeVisLab/Materialise 3-matic software package was used to perform volume and morphological analyses, and the CTAn or MeVisLab/Amira software was used to evaluate porosity. Data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey test (P < 0.05). Results : Using MeVisLab/Materialise 3-matic, a consistent tendency was observed for volume to increase at larger voxel sizes. CTAn showed higher volumes for MTA and IRM at 20 mu m. Using CTAn, porosity values decreased as voxel size increased, with statistically significant differences for all materials. MeVisLab/Amira showed a difference for MTA and IRM at 5 mu m, and for Biodentine at 20 mu m. Significant differences in volume and porosity were observed in all software packages for Biodentine across all voxel sizes. Conclusion : Some differences in volume and porosity were found according to voxel size, image-processing software, and the radiopacity of the material. Consistent protocols are needed for research evaluating dental materials. (Imaging Sci Dent 2020; 50: 161-8) (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/22481-1 - Effect of scanning and analysis using micro-CT on evaluation of the properties of repair cements
• Grantee: Fernanda Ferrari Esteves Torres Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/19049-0 - Evaluation of the root canal treatment procedures, physicochemical and biological properties of tricalcium silicate-based materials
• Grantee: Mario Tanomaru Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/00321-0 - Development of new methodologies using micro-CT for evaluation of physicochemical properties of repair materials and endodontic sealers
• Grantee: Fernanda Ferrari Esteves Torres Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate