A comparison of the supra-alveolar pulp size of impeded and unimpeded mandibular rat incisors using micro-computed tomography

The pulp space is almost totally obliterated in the incisal end of a mandibular rat incisor. Repeated shortening of the incisor has been shown to increase the pulp space below the alveolar bone level; however, little is known about that above the alveolar bone level. This study investigated the changes in the pulp space superior to the bone level after rendering the incisor unimpeded for a period of three weeks. A desktop micro-computed tomography scanning unit, which is non-invasive, non-destructive, accurate, less technique sensitive and less time consuming than conventional methods, was used to calculate the volume of the pulp space. The results showed that the pulp size increased 140% at a level 3 mm below the alveolar bone margin and more than 700% at a level 2.5 mm above the alveolar bone. Moreover, the bone level of the unimpeded incisor was found to move incisally 0.4-0.5 mm; while deposition of dentine on the mesial and distal aspects of the pulp space were affected differently to that on the buccal and lingual sides.