Work

Assessment of remineralized dentin lesions with thermal and near-infrared reflectance imaging

Year: 2016

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Accurate detection and measurement of the highly mineralized surface layer that forms on caries lesions is important for the diagnosis of lesion activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that optical imaging methods can be used to measure the degree of remineralization on enamel lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine if thermal and near-IR reflectance imaging could be used to assess the remineralization process in simulated dentin lesions. Artificial bovine (n=15) dentin lesions were prepared by immersion in a demineralization solution for 24 hours and they were subsequently placed in an acidic remineralization solution for up to 12 days. The samples were dehydrated using an air spray for 30 seconds and imaged using thermal and InGaAs cameras. The area enclosed by the time-temperature curve, ΔQ, from thermal imaging decreased significantly with longer periods of remineralization. However, near-IR reflectance intensity differences, ΔI, before and after dehydration failed to show any significant relationship with the degree of remineralization. This study shows that thermal imaging can be used for the assessment of the remineralization of dentin lesions.

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

DOI: 10.1117/12.2218661

Authors: Robert C. Lee, Cynthia L. Darling, Daniel Fried

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Thermography and Photoacoustic Techniques

Subfield: Mechanics of Materials

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research