infocus #43 September 2016 Multiscale Visualisation of Tooth-Periodontal Ligament-Bone Fibrous Joint Function

This article examines how in situ loading coupled with X-ray microscopy enables visualisation of internal structures of intact joints under physiological loading conditions.

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.140

X-ray imaging of the tooth-periodontal ligament (PDL)-bone fibrous joint, complemented with electron and light microscopy techniques, were used to provide insights into (1) the “functional osseointegration” aspect, should the tooth be replaced with an implant to regain chewing function, and (2) the role of softer vascular components within the ligament toward the regenerative
potential of the PDL.

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Authors

Lynn Yang

Lynn Yang is a fourth year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Cognitive Science. In Prof. Sunita Ho’s lab, she is elucidating the effects of biomechanical forces upon the development of nervous tissue, and learning the methods of scientific research. Lynn plans to pursue graduate studies in bioengineering.

Andrew T. Jang

Andrew Jang’s professional training includes DDS from the School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, and PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, with an emphasis on functional adaptation and biomechanics of the tooth-periodontal ligament-bone complex under the guidance of Prof. Sunita Ho, UCSF. He is currently working as a postdoctoral scholar at UCSF on a project that involves the use of biophotonics to develop diagnostic tools for dental caries.

Jeremy D. Lin

Jeremy Lin’s dual degree training includes DDS and PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences with an emphasis on tooth-periodontal ligament-bone fibrous joint as a dynamic joint that responds to various environmental stimuli including physiological and pathological loads under the mentorship of Sunita Ho, Ph.D., University of California San Francisco. He is currently a clinical faculty member for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry training program at the Eastside Family Dental Clinic in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Lin’s future interests include continued practice in community dentistry and clinical research with an emphasis in implantology.

Sunita P. Ho

Sunita Ho is a Professor in the Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, UCSF. Dr. Ho received a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University (India) and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC). She earned her doctorate in Bioengineering from Clemson University (Clemson, SC). Her laboratory has a strong focus on biomechanics and biomineralization with an emphasis on spatiotemporal mapping of “mechanoresponsiveness” of tissues and their interfaces. This is done by identifying mechanical strain induced biological processes at soft-hard tissue interfaces (ligament-bone and ligament-cementum interfaces) of the tooth-PDL-bone complex and other organ systems. One of her current research interests involves investigating load-mediated adaptation mechanisms, and to further exploit the biomechanical and mechanobiological concepts for the purpose of tissue regeneration.