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A Novel Method to Detect 3D Mandibular Changes Related to Soft-Diet Feeding
Kana Kono1, Chihiro Tanikawa2, Takeshi Yanagita1
1Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University HospitalOkayama, Japan.
Frontiers in Physiology
|September 1, 2017
Summary
Soft-diet feeding alters mouse mandible shape, particularly in the condyle and alveolar process. This study used micro-3D computed tomography (CT) to reveal detailed three-dimensional (3D) changes invisible to traditional 2D methods.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial development
- Biomechanics
- Imaging techniques
Background:
- Craniofacial morphology is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
- Soft-diet feeding is a model to study bone loading effects on skeletal morphology.
- Traditional 2D radiographic analysis has limitations in capturing detailed 3D craniofacial changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel surface-based analysis using micro-3D computed tomography (CT) for detecting 3D craniofacial changes.
- To investigate the specific 3D morphological alterations in the mandible of mice subjected to soft-diet feeding.
- To compare the detailed 3D mandibular changes induced by soft-diet versus hard-diet feeding.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed either a soft-diet (SD) or hard-diet (HD) from 3 to 9 weeks of age.
- Micro-3D computed tomography (CT) was used to capture high-resolution images of the mandibles.
- A surface-based analysis with superimposed averaged 3D mandibles was employed to visualize and quantify morphological differences.
Main Results:
- Gross observations showed distinct changes in the posterior mandible, angular process, and condyle between SD and HD groups.
- 3D mapping revealed significant vertical displacement as the primary change in SD mice, especially in the condyle.
- Complex displacements (vertical, transverse, anteroposterior) were noted in the condylar growth, while the coronoid process showed significant transverse displacement, and the alveolar process exhibited outward displacement and thinning.
Conclusions:
- Micro-3D CT surface analysis effectively detects subtle 3D craniofacial morphological changes.
- Soft-diet feeding induces complex, multi-directional shape alterations in the mouse mandible, particularly affecting the condylar and alveolar processes.
- This advanced imaging approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of diet-induced craniofacial adaptations compared to traditional 2D methods.
