Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Dec;43(4):227-233. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.227.

The three-dimensional microstructure of trabecular bone: Analysis of site-specific variation in the human jaw bone

• Kim JE
• Shin JM
• Oh SO
• Yi WJ
• Heo MS
• Lee SS
• Choi SC
• Huh KH

• KMID: 2229604
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.227

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to analyze human maxillary and mandibular trabecular bone using the data acquired from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and to characterize the site-specific microstructures of trabeculae.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty-nine cylindrical bone specimens were prepared from the mandible and maxilla. They were divided into 5 groups by region: the anterior maxilla, posterior maxilla, anterior mandible, posterior mandible, and mandibular condyle. After the specimens were scanned using a micro-CT system, three-dimensional microstructural parameters such as the percent bone volume, bone specific surface, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number, structure model index, and degrees of anisotropy were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among the regions other than the condylar area, the anterior mandibular region showed the highest trabecular thickness and the lowest value for the bone specific surface. On the other hand, the posterior maxilla region showed the lowest trabecular thickness and the highest value for the bone specific surface. The degree of anisotropy was lowest at the anterior mandible. The condyle showed thinner trabeculae with a more anisotropic arrangement than the other mandibular regions.
CONCLUSION
There were microstructural differences between the regions of the maxilla and mandible. These results suggested that different mechanisms of external force might exist at each site.

Keyword

Microstructure; Humans; Jaw; Three-Dimensional Image; Micro-CT

MeSH Terms

Anisotropy
Hand
Humans*
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Jaw*
Mandible
Mandibular Condyle
Maxilla

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Schematic description of specimen.

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  Fig. 2 Examples of 3D reconstruction of micro-CT data from bone specimens of specific regions.

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  Fig. 3 Bone specific surface (BS/BV) of the various jaw regions.

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  Fig. 4 Trabecular thickeness (Tb.Th) of the various jaw regions.

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  Fig. 5 Percent bone volume (BV/TV) of the various jaw regions.

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