Abstract:

Objective To measure the anatomic structures of the jaw and to discuss the accuracy of the method. Methods
The mandibular specimens were divided into ankle conylar group (3 specimens,regular trabecular architecture and mandibular
 
body group(5 specimens,irregular trabecular architecture). Fifteen volumes of interests(VOI) were created in each group and the total of thirty were measured. The mean value and standard deviation of each parameter at each reconstruction voxel size were calculated. Repeated ANOVA test was used to determine whether the significant differences in the values  existed between each parameter.Results The structure model index (SMI) value in  mandibular body group had  significant difference(P<0.05)  at all reconstruction voxel sizes compared with 18 μm group;but in condyle group,the reconstruction voxel size of 36 μm was not significant(P>0.05).The differences of trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),trabecular number(Tb.N) and trabecular seperation(Tb.Sp) values between condyle and mandibular body groups were significant at all reconstruction voxel sizes(P<0.05). In condyle group,except for Tb.Th,Tb.N,and Tb.Sp,the most parameter values were not significant at reconstruction pixel size of 36 μm. In the mandible body group,the differences of all  parameter values between  different pixel sizes were significant.Conclusion Micro-CT can reflect the anatomical changes of bone trabecula structure.

Key words: Jaw；Micro-CT；bone trabecula；anatomy