Work

Monitoring tooth demineralization using a cross polarization optical coherence tomographic system with an integrated MEMS scanner

Year: 2012

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: New methods are needed for the nondestructive measurement of tooth demineralization and remineralization to monitor the progression of incipient caries lesions (tooth decay) for effective nonsurgical intervention and to evaluate the performance of anti-caries treatments such as chemical treatments or laser irradiation. Studies have shown that optical coherence tomography (OCT) has great potential to fulfill this role since it can be used to measure the depth and severity of early lesions with an axial resolution exceeding 10-μm, it is easy to apply in vivo and it can be used to image the convoluted topography of tooth occlusal surfaces. In this paper we present early results using a new cross-polarization OCT system introduced by Santec. This system utilizes a swept laser source and a MEMS scanner for rapid acquisition of cross polarization images. Preliminary studies show that this system is useful for measurement of the severity of demineralization on tooth surfaces and for showing the spread of occlusal lesions under the dentinal-enamel junction.

Source: Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

DOI: 10.1117/12.914599

Authors: Daniel Fried, Michal Staninec, Cynthia Darling, Hobin Kang, Kenneth Chan

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Optical Coherence Tomography Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research