Affiliations: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-ray Science,
Physics Department, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia | Research Development, La Trobe University, Victoria,
Australia | Supertooth NDK, Victoria, Australia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Benedicta D. Arhatari, ARC Centre of
Excellence for Coherent X-ray Science, Physics Department, La Trobe University,
PS1 Building, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia. Tel.: +61 3
9479 1957; Fax: +61 3 9479 1552; E-mail: b.arhatari@latrobe.edu.au
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most tooth cavities start to develop inside pits and
fissures where brushing, saliva, fluoride toothpaste or mouthwashes have no
access. Therefore, 3D morphology of pits and fissures is an important subject
to be studied in relation to maintaining proper oral hygiene. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present high resolution images of
pits and fissures in human teeth using a laboratory-based micro X-ray Computed
Tomography (mXCT) and also to present the basic structure evaluation that could
be obtained. METHODS: Three human wisdom teeth were examined. Two different
set-ups were used in this study achieving resolution of 14.59 μm (Field of
View of 14.9 mm) and resolution of 4.43 μm (FOV of 4.5 mm) respectively.
Automated segmentation was performed for further evaluation to distinguish
between empty space (pits and fissures) and the filled space (enamel). RESULTS: The 3D tomography results demonstrate detailed morphology
with accurate dimensions and the locations of the pits and fissures, which is
important to investigate the relationship with tooth decay that mostly starts
deep inside pits and fissures. CONCLUSIONS: Segmentation from the mXCT imaging of pits and fissures
provides obvious visual evidence to help in promotion of oral health and to
improve personal tooth care in preventive treatment protocols.
Keywords: X-ray imaging, tomography, micro X-ray CT, pits and fissures
