Imaging an Adapted Dentoalveolar Complex

Abstract EN

Adaptation of a rat dentoalveolar complex was illustrated using various imaging modalities.

Micro-X-ray computed tomography for 3D modeling, combined with complementary techniques, including image processing, scanning electron microscopy, fluorochrome labeling, conventional histology (H&E, TRAP), and immunohistochemistry (RANKL, OPN) elucidated the dynamic nature of bone, the periodontal ligament-space, and cementum in the rat periodontium.

Tomography and electron microscopy illustrated structural adaptation of calcified tissues at a higher resolution.

Ongoing biomineralization was analyzed using fluorochrome labeling, and by evaluating attenuation profiles using virtual sections from 3D tomographies.

Osteoclastic distribution as a function of anatomical location was illustrated by combining histology, immunohistochemistry, and tomography.

While tomography and SEM provided past resorption-related events, future adaptive changes were deduced by identifying matrix biomolecules using immunohistochemistry.

Thus, a dynamic picture of the dentoalveolar complex in rats was illustrated.