title: A new method for quantitative analysis of dentinal tubules.
abstract: Conventional methods to estimate the number of dentinal tubules cannot be considered reliable and repeatable, because results depends on the operator outlining of the tubules contours. In this study, we propose a totally automated computerized analysis technique to evaluate dentinal tubules and their surface area. The comparison test of these conventional with a semi-automatic methods shows that the automated analysis allowed a reliable identification and numbering of dentinal tubules, by means of high-quality images. No statistically significant difference exists in the number of tubules and the total tubule surface area between the control and test groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Science, University of Bologna, via S. Vitale 59, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Iciocca@alma.unibo.it
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciocca
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navacchia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baldissara
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scotti
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012016:Reference Values; D012984:Software