Observations of mineralised tissues of teeth in X-ray micro-computed tomography

Background: The one of the most recent imaging technology is X-ray microtomography which allows non-invasive three-dimensional visualisation of structures. It also offers the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the tested objects such as measuring the shares of the various phases, determining the material density and distribution of the size of pores and particles. The aim of the paper was to present an overview on the applicability and relevance of X-ray microtomography in the study of mineralised tissues of the teeth. Materials and methods: The article is based on the most recent and significant literature and own observations. Results: The use of X-ray microtomography in dentistry has recently increased and includes, inter alia, the assessment of the density of minerals in enamel and dentin, the detection of demineralisation in an artificially and a naturally induced caries, the automatic measurement of the depth of cavities in dentin, the measurement of the amount of removed dentin in preparation of carious lesions by various methods, the assessment of microleakage around fillings and fissure sealants, cortical bone density measurement, evaluation of root canal morphology, comparison of the accuracy of root canal working and filling by various methods. Conclusions: X-ray microtomography offers within the analysis of mineralised tissues — complex structures of bone, teeth and biomedical materials, turn out to be indispensable since it opens new opportunities for cognitive and implementation research

Engineering biological gradients

Biological gradients profoundly influence many cellular activities, such as adhesion, migration, and differentiation, which are the key to biological processes, such as inflammation, remodeling, and tissue regeneration. Thus, engineered structures containing bioinspired gradients can not only support a better understanding of these phenomena, but also guide and improve the current limits of regenerative medicine. In this review, we outline the challenges behind the engineering of devices containing chemical-physical and biomolecular gradients, classifying them according to gradient-making methods and the finalities of the systems. Different manufacturing processes can generate gradients in either in-vitro systems or scaffolds, which are suitable tools for the study of cellular behavior and for regenerative medicine; within these, rapid prototyping techniques may have a huge impact on the controlled production of gradients. The parallel need to develop characterization techniques is addressed, underlining advantages and weaknesses in the analysis of both chemical and physical gradients

Effect of internal architecture on mechanical properties of polycaprolactone scaffolds for tissue regeneration

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of internal architecture of 3D printed scaffolds on their mechanical properties. The polycaprolactone scaffolds with six different internal architectures fabricated by rapid prototyping method were tested in this study. The scaffolds were plotted using a 330 μm dispensing needle, layer by layer with lay-down pattern of the fibers: 00/150/300; 00/300/600; 00/450/900, 00/600/1200, 00/750/1500 and 00/900/1800. Morphological analyses and mechanical properties examinations were performed. The obtained scaffolds had structures with high open porosity (50-60%) and interconnected pores ranging from 380 to 400 μm. The different lay-down pattern and the angle deposition of successive fiber layers resulted in different internal architecture and pore shape of the constructs, what was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and microtomography analyzes. The geometries 00/900/1800 and 00/600/1200 were characterized with the most regular shape of pores between all analyzed architectures. The pores for 00/150/300 and 00/300/600 were not regular and arranged as a ladder-like helicoid structures. The lay-down pattern of the fibers affected significantly the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The Young’s modulus (E) of the scaffolds was increasing with increase of the angle deposition between successive layers. The scaffolds were also subjected to cyclic loading and again geometry and mechanical properties were under investigation. For all type of scaffolds the differences of mechanical properties after dynamic compression have been noticed. The geometries 00/900/1800 and 00/600/1200 exhibited the highest Young’s Modulus after dynamic compression according to the rest of analyzed samples. According to the conducted research there is a clear correlation between internal architecture of polymeric scaffolds and their mechanical properties

Comparision of mechanical properites of biodegradable PCL-based binary and ternary composites

Celem poniższych badań było porównanie właściwości mechanicznych włókien kompozytów polimerowo-ceramicznych na osnowie polikaprolaktonu (PCL) jako potencjalnego materiału do wytworzenia rusztowań do regeneracji ubytków tkanki kostnej w organizmie człowieka. Jako napełniacz wykorzystano mikro-cząstki trójfosforanu wapnia (TCP). Wytworzono również kompozyt potrójny zawierający dodatkowo kopolimer kwasu mlekowego i glikolowego (PLGA). Przeprowadzono próbę rozciągania oraz obserwację na skaningowym mikroskopie elektronowym. Wprowadzenie mikrocząstek TCP do osnowy PCL tylko w małym stopniu poprawiło właściwości mechaniczne kompozytów. Dopiero dodatek PLGA spowodował znaczy wzrost sztywności oraz podwyższenie granicy plastyczności.The aim of present study was to compare the mechanical properties of binary and ternary composite fibers fabricated by means of combined solvent casting and fused deposition modeling techniques. The tested composites were composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix and tricalcium (TCP) micro-particles (binary composite) and additionally poly(D,L-lactide- co-glycolide), PLGA, (ternary composite). TCP and PLGA were used as a reinforcement of the composites. Tensile test was conducted in order to determine the effect of TCP and PLGA on mechanical properties of the composites. Introduction to TCP particles had slight effect of the Young's modulus. However, addition of TCP and PLGA to PCL matrix significantly improved the mechanical properties of the ternary composite

Investigation of influence of internal architecture on mechanical properties of 3D printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of internal architecture of 3D printed scaffolds on their mechanical properties. The polycaprolactone scaffolds with four different geometries produced by rapid prototyping were tested in this study. The 3D samples were manufactured with different internal architecture. The scaffolds were plotted using a 330 ym dispensing needle, layer by layer with lay-down pattern of the fibers: 00/450/900, 0P/60°/120°, 00/900/1800 and 00/600/1200 with shifted layers. Scanning electron mic¬roscopy analyses and mechanical properties examinations were performed. The mechanical test showed that the highest Young's modulus was obtained for the samples with 0P/6CP/12CP lay-down pattern, especially after layers shifting. The SEM analyzes didn't show any defects or layers delamination in the scaffolds. All the samples were characterized by appropriate 3D architecture and good layers connections. The obtained results confirmed the hypothesis that scaffolds with 00/60°/120l0 lay-down pattern of the fibers and with shifted layers have the highest mechanically properties of the investigated samples and therefore, show high potential to be used in bone tissue engineering application

Fabrication of porous poly (3-hydroxybutyrate- co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffolds using a rapid prototyping technique

Poli(3-hydroksymaślan-ko-3-hydroksywalerian) (PHBV) jest polimerem biodegradowalnym należącym do grupy poliestrów alifatycznych. Polimer ten jest termoplastem o wysokim wskaźniku szybkości płynięcia, co utrudnia jego przetwarzanie za pomocą wytłaczania. W przedstawionych badaniach wytworzono mieszankę PHBV z PLGA oraz wyznaczono jej masowy wskaźnik szybkości płynięcia (MFR). Dodatek PLGA obniżył MFR, co umożliwiło wytworzenie trójwymiarowego rusztowania za pomocą techniki szybkiego prototypowania.Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polymer which belongs to a group of aliphatic polyesters. PHBV is a thermoplast with a relatively high melt flow index. This property makes it difficult to process by means of extrusion. In the present study we have prepared PHBV blended with PLGA and determined its melt flow rate (MFR). The addition of PLGA decreased MFR, which enabled fabrication of three-dimensional scaffold by means of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Włókna chitozanowe modyfikowane kolagenem jako rusztowanie do namnażania komórek

A method is presented for the preparation of collagen-modified chitosan fibres (Chit/Col) from chitosan-collagen solutions. The fibres may be used in the construction of scaffolds. Chitosan solutions with a concentration of 5.21% in an aqueous 3.0% acetic acid solution with the addition of glycerol were mixed with aqueous solutions of collagen. The applied chitosan was derived from the northern shrimps (Pandalus borealis) and the collagen from calf hide. The usability of chitosan and collagen was determined for the preparation of spinning solutions and Chit/Col fibres. Rheological properties are discussed for the chitosan-collagen solutions used in the spinning of Chit/Col fibres with linear density in the range of 3.30 – 8.36 dtex. The fibres are featured by increased nitrogen content and tenacity when compared to pure chitosan fibres. The performance of the spinning process was good.W artykule przedstawiono sposób wytwarzania, metodą mokrą, włókien chitozanowych modyfikowanych kolagenem (Chit/Col) z roztworów chitozanowo-kolagenowych przydatnych do budowy rusztowań komórkowych (scaffolds). Stosowano roztwory chitozanu o stężeniu do 5,21% w wodnym 3.0% kwasie octowym zawierające glicerynę, które mieszano z wodną zawiesiną kolagenu. Zastosowano chitozan pochodzący z krewetki północnej (Pandalus borealis) i kolagen ze skór cielęcych. Określono przydatność chitozanu i kolagenu do wytwarzania roztworów przędzalniczych i włókien Chit/Col. Omówione zostały również właściwości reologiczne roztworów przędzalniczych chitozanowo-kolagenowych, z których formowano włókna odcinkowe Chit/Col o masie liniowej w zakresie 3.30 – 8.36 dtex charakteryzujące się wyższą zawartością azotu oraz wyższymi wartościami wytrzymałości właściwej w stosunku do włókien chitozanowych. Przebieg formowania włókien Chit/Col został oceniony pozytywnie

Analiza systemu kanałowego w pierwszych zębach trzonowych szczęki i żuchwy

A progressive bacteria invasion on tooth tissues leads to pulp inflammation, microabscesses of the pulp, destruction and in consequence inflammation of periapical tissues. Therefore the aim of endodontic treatment is three dimensional debridement of a root canal from the vent in pulp chamber to the physiological narrowing. Therefore the aim of the study is analysis of root canal configuration, number of canals, presence of lateral canals and canal delta with the group of first permanent molars. At the same time the accuracy of the radiological examination (x-ray images) is estimated due to comprehension of X-ray images performed before teeth preparation with root canal system and after observation of transversal cuts by means of light microscopy and microtomography. This establishment is presented through the differences in conventional radiological image and clinical assessment.Postępująca inwazja bakteryjna w tkankach zęba prowadzi do zapalenia miazgi, powstawania w niej mikroropnii, zniszczenia a w konsekwencji do zapalenia ozębnej. Z tego względu celem leczenia endodontycznego stało się trójwymiarowe oczyszczenie kanału korzeniowego od jego ujścia do przewężenia fizjologicznego. Dlatego celem pracy jest analiza konfiguracji, ilości kanałów korzeniowych, istnienia kanałów bocznych oraz delty korzeniowej w grupie pierwszych zębów trzonowych stałych w uzębieniu ludzkim. Jednocześnie ocenie poddawana jest dodatkowo swoistość badania radiologicznego (zdjęcia zębowe), poprzez porównanie zdjęć rentgenowskich wykonanych przed preparacją zębów z obrazem systemu kanałowego uzyskanego na podstawie mikrotomografii oraz po wykonaniu szlifów poprzecznych i ich obserwacji na mikroskopie świetlnym. Celem tej oceny jest zaprezentowanie rozbieżności pomiędzy oceną radiologiczną systemu kanałowego a kliniczną

Root Canal System Analysis with a Group of First Permanent Molars of Upper and Lower Jaw

A progressive bacteria invasion on tooth tissues leads to pulp inflammation, microabscesses of the pulp, destruction and in consequence inflammation of periapical tissues. Therefore the aim of endodontic treatment is three dimensional debridement of a root canal from the vent in pulp chamber to the physiological narrowing. Therefore the aim of the study is analysis of root canal configuration, number of canals, presence of lateral canals and canal delta with the group of first permanent molars. At the same time the accuracy of the radiological examination (x-ray images) is estimated due to comprehension of X-ray images performed before teeth preparation with root canal system and after observation of transversal cuts by means of light microscopy and microtomography. This establishment is presented through the differences in conventional radiological image and clinical assessment.Postępująca inwazja bakteryjna w tkankach zęba prowadzi do zapalenia miazgi, powstawania w niej mikroropnii, zniszczenia a w konsekwencji do zapalenia ozębnej. Z tego względu celem leczenia endodontycznego stało się trójwymiarowe oczyszczenie kanału korzeniowego od jego ujścia do przewężenia fizjologicznego. Dlatego celem pracy jest analiza konfiguracji, ilości kanałów korzeniowych, istnienia kanałów bocznych oraz delty korzeniowej w grupie pierwszych zębów trzonowych stałych w uzębieniu ludzkim. Jednocześnie ocenie poddawana jest dodatkowo swoistość badania radiologicznego (zdjęcia zębowe), poprzez porównanie zdjęć rentgenowskich wykonanych przed preparacją zębów z obrazem systemu kanałowego uzyskanego na podstawie mikrotomografii oraz po wykonaniu szlifów poprzecznych i ich obserwacji na mikroskopie świetlnym. Celem tej oceny jest zaprezentowanie rozbieżności pomiędzy oceną radiologiczną systemu kanałowego a kliniczną