Micro-CT in Bone Research and Dental Applications

For bone research, micro-CT is faster than histology or slicing. Acquire a scan in 10-15 minutes (medium resolution) or a few hours (high resolution) and generate 3D reconstructions in minutes.

In dental applications, microtomography delivers fine, highly detailed images at micrometre scale. It’s non-destructive, so you can take multiple scans, as well as virtual slices and flights through your sample.

Rat Bone Micro-CT

Micro-CT is non-destructive and faster than histology or slicing

Applications

Micro-CT (aka XRM or X-Ray Microscopy) is an extremely versatile technique. If your area of interest isn’t mentioned here, please get in touch.

Bone

  • Bone disease models
  • Pre-clinical imaging
  • Densitometry
  • Volume analysis
  • Structure
  • Porosity
  • Fractures and healing
  • Biomaterials
  • Cartilage analysis

Dental

  • Morphometric analysis of dental and bone tissue
  • Endodontic research and root canal
  • Segment and measure enamel and dentine – more info
  • Molar roots and mandible in periodontics, etc

Paleontology

Bones, fossils and archaeological samples.

More info…

Mechanical loading bone biopsy
Mechanical loading bone biopsy. Taken with the Bruker SkyScan 1275.
Rat Bone
3D volume rendering of a rat bone, colour-coded by local trabecular thickness. Taken with the Bruker SkyScan 1276.
Mouse Tibia Scan
Mouse tibia color coded thickness. Taken with the Bruker SkyScan 1272.
Micro-CT Scan of a Tooth
Tooth dentin tubules scanned with the Bruker SkyScan 2214

Micro-CT scan of bone

Bone Morphometry

Separate trabecular and cortical bone automatically with a technique called the morphological escalator.

More details…


Helical Micro-CT

Helical micro-CT, or spiral scanning, reduces artefacts and ensures true reconstructions that accurately represent your sample. It greatly reduces artefacts in orthopaedic research, where metal screws are implanted in bone.

More info…

Circular versus helical trajectory

Sheep bone with implants (micro-CT scan)
Sheep bone with Ti implants. Scanned with the Bruker SkyScan 1275.
Micro-CT scan of a skull
The Bruker SkyScan 1273 can accommodate large samples, like this Neanderthal skull (still from a video rendering).

Root Canal Studies

Interview with Dr Marco Versiani about 3D root canal studies at the University of Sao Paulo:

Root Canal Scan
Human tooth root canal preparation evaluation. Taken with the Bruker SkyScan 1275.

X-Ray Microscopy Instruments

Blue Scientific is the official distributor of Bruker SkyScan XRM systems in the UK, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. We’re available to answer all your questions and provide quotes, as well as service and applications support.

Bruker SkyScan 1275 Micro-CT

Bruker SkyScan 1275

Fast, automated scanner. Self-optimising features for high quality images every time.

More info…

Bruker SkyScan 1273

Bruker SkyScan 1273

Benchtop micro-CT for large objects, up to 500mm long, that would previously have required a larger, floor-standing system.

More info…