Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education.
This study used available or purchased equipment and an image reconstruction system developed by the college of dentistry to establish a basic self-assembled micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system. Such a system would be suitable for teaching dental radiology to dental students. Specifically, i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2018-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209698 |
| _version_ | 1819025442527510528 |
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| author | Che-Wei Liao Lih-Jyh Fuh Yen-Wen Shen Heng-Li Huang Chih-Wei Kuo Ming-Tzu Tsai Jui-Ting Hsu |
| author_facet | Che-Wei Liao Lih-Jyh Fuh Yen-Wen Shen Heng-Li Huang Chih-Wei Kuo Ming-Tzu Tsai Jui-Ting Hsu |
| author_sort | Che-Wei Liao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study used available or purchased equipment and an image reconstruction system developed by the college of dentistry to establish a basic self-assembled micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system. Such a system would be suitable for teaching dental radiology to dental students. Specifically, it could help students to understand the principles governing dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and provide graduate students with a system for scanning small samples (e.g., individual teeth) during the early stages of research. The self-assembled micro-CT system was constructed using a portable dental X-ray tube, an intraoral digital X-ray detector, a high-precision rotation stage, related bracket accessories, and a notebook computer. Reconstructed images and three-dimensional models of the maxillary right third molar were produced using the self-assembled micro-CT system and an advanced commercially available micro-CT system (Skyscan 2211). Subsequently, the reconstructed images and 3D models produced using the two systems were compared by two senior dentists to determine whether considerable visual differences could be observed. Finally, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was used for quantitative analysis and to compare the systems. Although the self-assembled micro-CT system produced image boundaries that were not as sharp as those of Skyscan 2211, the images were nonetheless remarkably similar. In addition, the two micro-CT systems produced 3D models that were almost identical in appearance and root canal shape. Quantitative analysis revealed that Skyscan 2211 had produced a SNR that was superior to that of the self-assembled micro-CT system, with the difference ranging from 36.77% to 136.22%; enamel, which has a higher density, exhibited lower SNR differences, whereas dentin, which has a lower density, exhibited higher SNR differences. The self-assembled micro-CT system with a resolution of 36 μm was created using a portable dental X-ray tube and an intraoral digital X-ray detector. Although the scanning time was relatively long (~30 min to scan images of a tooth), the images were adequate in the preliminary stage of experiments. More importantly, students were afforded the opportunity to observe the process of assembling and disassembling each component of a micro-CT scanner and thereby achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the principles governing micro-CT and dental CBCT. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:10:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-42f136646335418dbb6391d939953c7c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T05:10:45Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-42f136646335418dbb6391d939953c7c2022-12-21T19:15:04ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032018-01-011312e020969810.1371/journal.pone.0209698Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education.Che-Wei LiaoLih-Jyh FuhYen-Wen ShenHeng-Li HuangChih-Wei KuoMing-Tzu TsaiJui-Ting HsuThis study used available or purchased equipment and an image reconstruction system developed by the college of dentistry to establish a basic self-assembled micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system. Such a system would be suitable for teaching dental radiology to dental students. Specifically, it could help students to understand the principles governing dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and provide graduate students with a system for scanning small samples (e.g., individual teeth) during the early stages of research. The self-assembled micro-CT system was constructed using a portable dental X-ray tube, an intraoral digital X-ray detector, a high-precision rotation stage, related bracket accessories, and a notebook computer. Reconstructed images and three-dimensional models of the maxillary right third molar were produced using the self-assembled micro-CT system and an advanced commercially available micro-CT system (Skyscan 2211). Subsequently, the reconstructed images and 3D models produced using the two systems were compared by two senior dentists to determine whether considerable visual differences could be observed. Finally, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was used for quantitative analysis and to compare the systems. Although the self-assembled micro-CT system produced image boundaries that were not as sharp as those of Skyscan 2211, the images were nonetheless remarkably similar. In addition, the two micro-CT systems produced 3D models that were almost identical in appearance and root canal shape. Quantitative analysis revealed that Skyscan 2211 had produced a SNR that was superior to that of the self-assembled micro-CT system, with the difference ranging from 36.77% to 136.22%; enamel, which has a higher density, exhibited lower SNR differences, whereas dentin, which has a lower density, exhibited higher SNR differences. The self-assembled micro-CT system with a resolution of 36 μm was created using a portable dental X-ray tube and an intraoral digital X-ray detector. Although the scanning time was relatively long (~30 min to scan images of a tooth), the images were adequate in the preliminary stage of experiments. More importantly, students were afforded the opportunity to observe the process of assembling and disassembling each component of a micro-CT scanner and thereby achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the principles governing micro-CT and dental CBCT.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209698 |
| spellingShingle | Che-Wei Liao Lih-Jyh Fuh Yen-Wen Shen Heng-Li Huang Chih-Wei Kuo Ming-Tzu Tsai Jui-Ting Hsu Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. PLoS ONE |
| title | Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. |
| title_full | Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. |
| title_fullStr | Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. |
| title_short | Self-assembled micro-computed tomography for dental education. |
| title_sort | self assembled micro computed tomography for dental education |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209698 |
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