A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars
Domestic pig molars provide an interesting system to study the biomineralization process. The large size, thick enamel and complex crown morphology make pig molars relatively similar to human molars. However, compared to human molars, pig molars develop considerably faster. Here we use microCT to im...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2018.00071/full |
| _version_ | 1818289944572985344 |
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| author | Susanna S. Sova Susanna S. Sova Leo Tjäderhane Leo Tjäderhane Pasi A. Heikkilä Jukka Jernvall |
| author_facet | Susanna S. Sova Susanna S. Sova Leo Tjäderhane Leo Tjäderhane Pasi A. Heikkilä Jukka Jernvall |
| author_sort | Susanna S. Sova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Domestic pig molars provide an interesting system to study the biomineralization process. The large size, thick enamel and complex crown morphology make pig molars relatively similar to human molars. However, compared to human molars, pig molars develop considerably faster. Here we use microCT to image the developing pig molars and to decipher spatial patterns of biomineralization. We used mineral grains to calibrate individual microCT-scans, which allowed an accurate measure of the electron density of the developing molars. The microCT results show that unerupted molars that are morphologically at the same stage of development, can be at markedly different stage of enamel biomineralization. Erupted molars show increased electron density, suggesting that mineralization continues in oral cavity. Yet, our comparisons show that human enamel has slightly higher electron density than pig enamel. These results support the relatively low hardness values and calcium level values that have been reported earlier in literature for pig teeth. The mineral calibration was an efficient method for the microCT-absorption models, allowing a relatively robust way to detect scanning artifacts. In conclusions, whereas thin sections remain the preferred way to analyze enamel features, such as incremental lines and crystal orientation, the microCT allows efficient and non-destructive comparisons between different teeth and species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T02:20:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5e81bd424d884f5487ad117c112e3639 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T02:20:19Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-5e81bd424d884f5487ad117c112e36392022-12-22T00:02:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2018-02-01910.3389/fphys.2018.00071288761A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig MolarsSusanna S. Sova0Susanna S. Sova1Leo Tjäderhane2Leo Tjäderhane3Pasi A. Heikkilä4Jukka Jernvall5Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Geoscience and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandInstitute of Dentistry and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Geoscience and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandDevelopmental Biology Program, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandDomestic pig molars provide an interesting system to study the biomineralization process. The large size, thick enamel and complex crown morphology make pig molars relatively similar to human molars. However, compared to human molars, pig molars develop considerably faster. Here we use microCT to image the developing pig molars and to decipher spatial patterns of biomineralization. We used mineral grains to calibrate individual microCT-scans, which allowed an accurate measure of the electron density of the developing molars. The microCT results show that unerupted molars that are morphologically at the same stage of development, can be at markedly different stage of enamel biomineralization. Erupted molars show increased electron density, suggesting that mineralization continues in oral cavity. Yet, our comparisons show that human enamel has slightly higher electron density than pig enamel. These results support the relatively low hardness values and calcium level values that have been reported earlier in literature for pig teeth. The mineral calibration was an efficient method for the microCT-absorption models, allowing a relatively robust way to detect scanning artifacts. In conclusions, whereas thin sections remain the preferred way to analyze enamel features, such as incremental lines and crystal orientation, the microCT allows efficient and non-destructive comparisons between different teeth and species.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2018.00071/fullteethtooth maturationbiomineralizationsus scrofa3D-imagingmicrotomography |
| spellingShingle | Susanna S. Sova Susanna S. Sova Leo Tjäderhane Leo Tjäderhane Pasi A. Heikkilä Jukka Jernvall A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars Frontiers in Physiology teeth tooth maturation biomineralization sus scrofa 3D-imaging microtomography |
| title | A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars |
| title_full | A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars |
| title_fullStr | A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars |
| title_full_unstemmed | A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars |
| title_short | A microCT Study of Three-Dimensional Patterns of Biomineralization in Pig Molars |
| title_sort | microct study of three dimensional patterns of biomineralization in pig molars |
| topic | teeth tooth maturation biomineralization sus scrofa 3D-imaging microtomography |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2018.00071/full |
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