Skyscan 1173 micro ct

As described previously, micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and analysis were conducted [34 (link)]. The maxillas were harvested at day 0 before treatment just after the extraction of tooth and 2 weeks after treatment and subjection to Micro-CT. Using a Skyscan-1173 Micro-CT (Bruker MicroCT, Kontich, Belgium), each sample was scanned with the following parameters: 90 kV tube voltage, 88 μA current, 1.0 mm aluminum filter, 9.59 μm image pixel size, 500 ms exposure time, 0.3 rotation step, 360° scan, and four frames per rotation. Using NRecon software (Bruker MicroCT, Kontich, Belgium), three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructions were conducted. Two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D models of bone tissue formed in the extraction socket area in each sample were created using DataViewer (Bruker MicroCT, Kontich, Belgium) and CTVol software (Bruker MicroCT, Kontich, Belgium), respectively. The percent bone volume (calculated as the bone volume/tissue volume) of the new bone formed in the socket area was determined using CTAn software (Bruker MicroCT, Kontich, Belgium).

To determine bone mineral density (BMD), mice were anesthetized with tiletamine/zolazepam (Zoletil; Virbac Laboratories, Carros, France) and placed on a specimen plate in the same position. In vivo analysis of the BMD of the longitudinal right femur was performed using a low X-ray energy (80/35 kVp at 500 μA)-emitted PIXI-mus bone densitometer (GE Lunar, Madison, WI, USA). For micro-CT analysis, the transverse right femoral bone was scanned using a Skyscan 1173 micro-CT (Bruker microCT, North Billerica, MA, USA) at the end of the experiment. Three-dimensional axial images were reconstructed, and two-dimensional images were obtained using the NRecon software (Bruker). To quantify the region of interest (ROI) in the femur, including the bone volume (BV/TV) and trabecular number (Tb.N.), thickness (Tb. Th.), and spacing (Tb. Sp.), a region 300 μm below the growth plate was analyzed.