HIGH-RESOLUTION MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY FOR MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF TYPE II DENS INVAGINATUS IN A MAXIL-LARY LATERAL INCISOR: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

This case report aims to present micro CT and SEM analysis of type II dens invaginatus extracted for orthodontic reasons three years after the eruption. An industrial micro CT was used to double scan a freshly extracted left lateral incisor from the upper jaw with a peg shape and type II invagination, according to Ohlers. The first scan captured the entire tooth with a resolution of twelve micrometers, while the second scan focused on the coronal part of the tooth with a magnification of seven micrometers. This allowed for a detailed view of the overall anatomy and a reliable representation of the tooth's structure. After the scanning procedure, the tooth was sectioned, and SEM-EDS was performed on the invagination to obtain further details. Segmented image analysis provides a new detailed overview of the structural and morphological characteristics that can be observed in this type of malformation. This anatomical presentation, and SEM analysis can bring new helpful insights for practitioners and students to navigate their treatment strategies.

Keywords

• dens invaginatus
• micro-ct
• sem
• dens in dente