ImageJ analysis of dentin tubule distribution in human teeth

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2015

Abstract

Mapping the distribution of dentin tubules is vital to understanding the structure-function relationship of dentin, an important indicator of tooth stability. This study compared the distances between and density of tubules in the external dentin located in the crown region of an adult human incisor and molar to determine if analysis could be conducted using light-level microscopy. Teeth were processed for routine histology, cut in cross-section, images captured using Advanced SPOT Program, and microstructure was analyzed using ImageJ (NIH). Intratubular (peritubular) dentin with or without odontoblast processes were observed and although incisor and molar images appeared visually similar, plot profile graphs differed. Distance-intervals between tubules in the incisor (5.45-7.67μm) had an overall range of 2.22μm and in the molar (7.43-8.42μm) an overall range of 0.99μm. While molar tubule distribution displayed a tighter overall range, there was a smaller distance between most incisor tubules. The average densities observed in incisors were 15,500tubules/mm2, compared with 20,100tubules/mm2 in molars. ImageJ analysis of prepared histology microscopic slides provides researchers with a rapid, inexpensive assessment tool when compared with advanced/ultrastructural methodologies. By combining routine histological processing and light microscopic observations followed by ImageJ analysis, tooth structure can be converted into numerical data and easily mastered by laboratory personnel.

Publication Title

Tissue and Cell

Volume

47

Issue

4

First Page

343

Last Page

348

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.tice.2015.05.004

PubMed ID

26150311

ISSN

00408166

E-ISSN

15323072

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