Microtomographic Examination of Teeth After Application of Selected Contrasting Agents

The present research was aimed at imaging predentine, structure of the walls of the dentinal tubules, and distribution of collagen fibres on which the dentinal tubules are built, using microtomography. Methodology Teeth were first demineralised and subsequently contrasted with uranyl acetate and osmium tetroxide. In the next stage, these contrasted teeth were analysed by X-rays with the use of Nanotom S. The Fiji Is Just ImageJ and VG Studio Max programs were used to conduct numerical analysis of the data. Then the 3D model was made. Results The teeth serving as reference material were not subjected to contrasting agents. The images obtained via microtomography were poorly differentiated. Teeth contrasted with uranyl acetate: the spatial image of the entire tooth became very clearly visible. Teeth contrasted with osmium: the preparations differ in terms of contrast. This preparation enables the differentiation of sharper details throughout the tooth model. Conclusions It was possible to show vessels and odontoblast spikes in the pulp chamber. It was also possible to follow the course of the dentinal tubules and to link the structures of the walls of the tubules with collagen fibres in the 3D image, with using Nanotom S microtomograph.