Abstract
The aim of this study was to measure the bone mineral density of specific regions of maxilla, mandible, and first cervical vertebra using the Hounsfield unit and trabecular microstructure pattern analysis and to compare the two methods. In this study, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained from 58 patients. Trabecular thickness, trabecular number, trabecular separation, and bone volume fraction were measured in 484 regions for trabecular microstructure parameters and Hounsfield unit was measured for the grayscale value. There was no difference in bone mineral density between the right and left side in every site and between males and females. Trabecular thickness and trabecular number were high in the order of anterior base of the maxilla, mandibular body, first cervical vertebra, and mandibular condyle. Bone volume fraction and Hounsfield unit were high in the order of anterior base of the maxilla, mandibular body, mandibular condyle, and first cervical vertebra (p < 0.05). Trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and bone volume fraction was positively correlated to the Hounsfield unit, and trabecular separation was negatively correlated to the Hounsfield unit (p < 0.005). This study suggests that it is possible to compare the bone mineral density of trabecular bone in various sites using the Hounsfield unit and trabecular microstructure pattern analysis.
Highlights
Changes in the density of trabecular bones are often associated with local or systemic diseases
Changes in the trabecular bone density affect the corrective movement of teeth associated with the orthodontic treatment [1,2]
The introduction of high-resolution micro-computed tomography (CT) shows the microstructure of the trabecular bone as an objective indicator and can be used for trabecular bone density analysis [5]
Summary
Changes in the density of trabecular bones are often associated with local or systemic diseases. Changes in the trabecular bone density affect the corrective movement of teeth associated with the orthodontic treatment [1,2]. Bone mineral density (BMD) can be measured based on radiodensity in computed tomography (CT) or assessed by analyzing the microstructure of the trabecular bone. Hounsfield unit (HU) is mainly used to measure the radiographic density value [3]. Misch’s bone density classification was classified from D1 to D5 based on HU values [4]. The introduction of high-resolution micro-CT shows the microstructure of the trabecular bone as an objective indicator and can be used for trabecular bone density analysis [5]
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