3D analysis of enamel demineralisation in human dental caries using high-resolution, large field of view synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2021.102418

Authors: Cyril Besnard (MBLEM, University of Oxford) , Robert A. Harper (University of Birmingham) , Thomas E. J. Moxham (Diamond Light Source) , Jonathan D. James (University of Birmingham) , Malte Storm (Diamond Light Source) , Enrico Salvati (MBLEM, University of Oxford) , Gabriel Landini (University of Birmingham) , Richard M. Shelton (University of Birmingham) , Alexander M. Korsunsky (University of Oxford)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Materials Today Communications , VOL 392

State: Published (Approved)
Published: May 2021
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 20479

Abstract: We report major advances in the analysis of synchrotron 3D datasets acquired from human healthy and carious dental enamel. Synchrotron tomographic data for three human carious samples and a non-carious reference tooth sample were collected with the voxel size of 325 nm for a total volume of 815.4 × 815.4 × 685.4 μm3. The results were compared with conventional X-ray tomography, optical microscopy, and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. Clear contrast was seen within demineralised enamel due to reduced mineral content using synchrotron tomography in comparison with conventional tomography. The features were found to correspond with the rod and inter-rod structures within prismatic enamel. 2D and 3D image segmentation allowed statistical quantification of important structural characteristics (such as the aspect ratio and the cross-sectional area of voids, as well as the demineralised volume fraction as a function of lesion depth). Whilst overall carious enamel predominantly displayed Type 1 etching pattern (preferential demineralisation of enamel rods), a transition between Type 2 (preferential inter-rod demineralisation) and Type 1 was identified within the same lesion for the first time. This study does not intend to give extensive results on the different lesions studied, but to illustrate a new method and its potential application.

Journal Keywords: Dental caries; Enamel; Demineralisation; Synchrotron; X-ray micro-computed tomography; Optical and (focused ion beam) scanning electron microscopy

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Technique Development


Instruments: I13-2-Diamond Manchester Imaging

Added On: 12/05/2021 08:46

Documents:
1-s2.0-S2352492821004104-main.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Dentistry Health & Wellbeing Technique Development - Life Sciences & Biotech Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Imaging Tomography