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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
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Microhardness Measurements on Tooth and Alveolar Bone in Rodent Oral Disease Models
Published on: April 26, 2024
Micro-CT based quantitative evaluation of caries excavation
Aline de A Neves1, Eduardo Coutinho, Marcio Vivan Cardoso
1Leuven BIOMAT Research Cluster, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, Belgium.
Summary
This study optimized micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for precise dental caries excavation assessment. The refined technique accurately quantifies excavated tissue volume, aiding in evaluating new caries removal methods.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Biomedical imaging
- Materials science
Background:
- Dental caries excavation requires precise quantitative evaluation.
- Existing micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) techniques need optimization for caries assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize a micro-CT technique for quantitative evaluation of dental caries excavation effectiveness.
- To enable accurate volumetric calculation of excavated tissue.
Main Methods:
- Developed a beam-hardening correction method using hydroxyapatite (HAp) phantoms.
- Calibrated micro-CT gray values to mineral density.
- Applied 3D-median filtering and a connected threshold grower algorithm for image pre-processing.
- Quantified excavated tissue volume before and after enzyme-based gel treatment.
Main Results:
- Beam-hardening correction resulted in homogeneous gray values in tooth slices.
- Accurate mineral density values were obtained for enamel, dentin, and carious regions.
- Segmentation of carious dentin was achieved, allowing for quantitative volumetric analysis.
Conclusions:
- Optimized micro-CT technique enables detailed volumetric calculation of caries excavation.
- Accurate calibration, standardization, and pre-processing are crucial for reliable quantitative analysis.
- This method can effectively evaluate contemporary caries-excavation techniques.
