Root resorption and its association with alterations in physical properties, mineral contents and resorption craters in human premolars following application of light and heavy controlled orthodontic forces

Optimization of microCT data processing for modelling of dental structures in orthodontic studies

Dental studies evaluating microCT output often examine resolution as a parameter that affects the data, but many other factors can influence image quality. The objective of this paper is to present the issues involved with the optimization of microCT data acquisition and processing for two biomechanical animal models. The first model evaluates surface and volumetric changes in root structure after in vitro fatigue loading of dog incisors. The second evaluates the in vivo morphometric bone and tooth responses to application of orthodontic force in inbred and transgenic mice. This type of data required specific magnification and noise control microCT settings to segment and render objects with acceptable definition. The proposed procedures enabled high definition rendering of changes in tooth and bone morphology in orthodontic studies. They also allowed for the construction of solid models for finite element analyses.

Physical properties of root cementum: Part 9. Effect of systemic fluoride intake on root resorption in rats

INTRODUCTION

Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption is a common complication in orthodontic treatment. Fluoride has been reported to have a beneficial effect against root resorption in dental traumatology. The effect of fluoride on orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption has not been investigated. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of fluoride on the incidence of root resorption.

METHODS

Thirty-two female 8-week-old Wistar rats were separated into 4 groups. Two groups (6 rats per group) were controls; they did not undergo orthodontic tooth movement. The other 2 groups (10 rats per group) had orthodontic tooth movement consisting of activated 100-g closing nickel-titanium coils (NiTi 10-000-06, GAC International, Bohemia, NY) connecting the mandibular first molar to the incisors. Fluoridated water (100 ppm) was given ad libitum to 1 control and 1 experimental group. The other 2 groups received deionized water. After 2 weeks, the animals were killed, and the samples were harvested. Resorption craters were scanned with a Micro CT (SkyScan 1072, Aartselaar, Belgium). Software analysis of the scanned samples provided a volumetric measurement of the resorption craters on the mandibular molar cementum surface.

RESULTS

Resorption sites were found in the control samples, especially on the distal surfaces; this could be attributed to normal physiological tooth drift. Resorption sites were significantly (P <.05) increased in the groups receiving orthodontic tooth movement.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoride reduces the size of resorption craters, but the effect is variable and not statistically significant (P >.05).