Comparative analysis of optical coherence tomography signal and microhardness for demineralization evaluation of human tooth enamel

Author(s):Show less -

de Cara, Claudia Ballet ; Maria e Ell, Denise ; Patricia ; Deana, Alessandro Melo ; Aral, Marcello Magri ; Vieira, Nilson Dias, Jr. ; De Reitas, Anderson Anardi ; Popp, J ; Drexler, W ; Tuchin, VV ; Matthews, DL

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOPHOTONICS: PHOTONIC SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE III; v. 8427, p. 10-pg., 2012-01-01.

Abstract

The diagnosis of dental caries at an early stage enables the implementation of conservative treatments based on dental preservation. Several diagnostic methods have been developed, like visual-tactile and radiographic are the most commons but are limited for this application. The Optical Coherence Tomography is a technique that provides information of optical properties of enamel, which may change due to the decay process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of OCT to detect different stages of demineralization of tooth enamel during the development of artificial caries lesions, taking as a reference standard for comparison sectional microhardness testing. Different stages of caries lesions were simulated using the pH cycling model suggested Feathestone and modified by Argenta. The samples were exposed to 0 (control group), 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days at a daily regimen of three hours demineralization followed by remineralization during 20 hours. It was used an OCT system with at 930nm. Sectional images were generated in all lesion region. The results obtained from the OCT technique presented similar behavior to microhardness, except for the group 25 days, due to inability to perform indentations reading in areas of more intense demineralization. A linear relationship was observed between the OCT and microhardness techniques for detection of demineralization in enamel. This relationship will allow the use of OCT technique in quantitative assessment of mineral loss and for the evaluation of incipient caries lesions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03123-8 - Development process evaluation of dental enamel demineralization using the optical coherence tomography
• Grantee: Ana Claudia Ballet de Cara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/03637-7 - SPIE Photonics Europe
• Grantee: Anderson Zanardi de Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Meeting - Abroad