Archive | 2019
Micro-CT Applications in TMJ Research
Abstract
From a technical point of view, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) indeed is a cone beam computed tomography technique which utilizes geometrically cone-shaped beams for reconstruction and back-projection processes. Having a voxel size volumetrically almost one million times smaller than that of computed tomography (CT), micro-CT’s voxel size ranges between 1 and 50 μm. Thanks to this tiny voxel size, micro-CTs provide outstanding cross-sectional resolutions. Micro-CT is currently being utilized in various fields such as biomedical research, materials science, pharmaceutical medicine development and manufacturing, composites, dental research, electronic components, geology, zoology, botany, construction materials, and paper production. Micro-computed tomography makes direct examination of mineralized tissues possible such as the teeth and bones, ceramics, polymers, and biomaterials. Reviewing recent studies conducted within the field of dentistry, it was observed that numerous studies related to concepts such as evaluation of root canal morphology, evaluation of root canal shaping, evaluation of root canal sealing, examination of residual obturation material after root canal retreatment, assessment of craniofacial bone development, and measurement of enamel thickness could be found in literature.