A comparison between a conventional optical method and image-analysis for measuring the unimpeded eruption rate of the rat mandibular incisor.
The impeded/unimpeded eruption rates of the rat incisor have been much studied. The most commonly used optical microscopic method, which has inherent weaknesses, was compared here with an image-analysis method to measure the eruption rate of the mandibular incisor. The study also evaluated the incisal edge as a reference point for the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate, and the frequency of shortening the mandibular incisor. The image-analysis method was found to be a simple and reliable technique that could replace the optical method. There was no significant difference between the data from the two methods; their kappa coefficients were similar at the 0.99 level. It was concluded that shortening the incisor in the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate should be done at least every 48 h, and that the incisal edge of the shortened incisor can be used as the reference point for that measurement.
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 34, Hospital Road, SAR, Hong Kong, China.
Chun-kei
CK
Lee
Kwok-Tung
KT
Law
Nigel Martyn
NM
King
Abou-Bakr Mahmoud
AB
Rabie
D000818:Animals; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007180:Incisor / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording