Measuring the mandibular growth of Miniature pigs by using cone beam CT image
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Chu, Li-Yu
Abstract
Introduction: In the literatures regarding to mandible growth, there is hardly any system to predict human mandible growth, through which the effects of temporomandibular disorders on growing mandible can be estimated. It is impossible to use longitudinal radiographic imaging to monitor human mandible growth, due to the ethics consideration. In this study we chose mini pig as the experimental animal because they have similar diet preference to the human, and easily available. Cone beam dental CT was used in this study to yield the volumetric images of the pigs’ mandibles at different time points. 3D reconstruction of the growing mandibles can then be built.
Materials and Methods: The first volumetric images of the head were obtained from 4 weeks old of 2 mini pigs. Since then, the same CT images were performed again every 4 weeks till they were 1 year old. Nine anatomical reference points were then identified on the 3D reconstruction series for further analyses and descriptions.
Results: The complete serial 3D reconstructions of the growing mandibles have been successfully obtained. Mandible growth velocities represented by the 9 points were not homogenous, namely some showed crescendo and other showed decrescendo patterns. These above-mentioned obvious growth velocities changes happened mainly at the time point of 5 or 6 months. The reference point in the chin point area showed most changes in the antero-posterior direction. The reference point in the gonial angle area showed most changes in the medio-lateral and supero-inferior directions.
Conclusions: Between 4 weeks and 48 weeks old of the growing mini pig, the growth seems to be mostly happened in the antero-posterior direction, followed by the medio-lateral and supero-inferior directions. Complicated mathematical models of mandible growth could be built based on these serial 3D reconstructions.
Subjects
cone beam CT
Mandibular growth of miniature pig
animal study
TMJ
facial growth of miniature pig
Type
thesis
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