Dental Imaging Using Mesoscopic Fluorescence Molecular Tomography: An ex Vivo Feasibility Study

Feixiao Long,Xavier Intes,Mark Wolff,Shiva Kotha,Mehmet Ozturk

doi:10.3390/photonics1040488

Feixiao Long, Xavier Intes + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics1040488

Copy DOI

Journal: Photonics	Publication Date: Dec 3, 2014
Citations: 46	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University

Abstract

Some dental lesions are difficult to detect with traditional anatomical imaging methods, such as, with visual observation, dental radiography and X-ray computed tomography (CT). Therefore, we investigated the viability of using an optical imaging technique, Mesoscopic Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (MFMT) to retrieve molecular contrast in dental samples. To establish feasibility of obtaining 3-D images in teeth using MFMT, molecular contrast was simulated using a dye-filled capillary that was placed in the lower half of human tooth ex vivo. The dye and excitation wavelength were chosen to be excited at 650–660 nm in order to simulate a carious lesion. The location of the capillary was varied by changing the depth from the surface at which the dye, at various concentrations, was introduced. MFMT reconstructions were benchmarked against micro-CT. Overall; MFMT exhibited a location accuracy of ~15% and a volume accuracy of ~15%, up to 2 mm depth with moderate dye concentrations. These results demonstrate the potential of MFMT to retrieve molecular contrast in 3-D in highly scattering tissues, such as teeth.

Highlights

Dental caries is the most prevalent dental disease encountered in clinical dentistry [1]with a prevalence of 92% of adults between 20 and 64 years having developed caries in permanent teeth [2]
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which has been used for implant placement, orthodontics, and surgery, may provide improved detection and sensitivity of these lesions at the expense of greater radiation exposure to sensitive tissues around the head and neck [9]
It is noted that commercially available systems, such as the DiagnodentTM, uses an excitation wavelength of 655 nm and measures fluorescence, because carious tissue induces a greater fluorescence at these wavelengths in comparison to intact tissues [44]

Summary

Introduction

Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most prevalent dental disease encountered in clinical dentistry [1]with a prevalence of 92% of adults between 20 and 64 years having developed caries in permanent teeth [2]. Diagnosis of caries is usually performed utilizing visual and/or tactile examinations and is supplemented by the use of dental radiographs. The detection of carious lesions utilizing conventional 2-D X-radiography remains challenging [6]. This is because conventional 2-D radiographs provide limited information and sensitivity, with the appearance of a lesion being impacted by projection geometry and size [7,8]. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which has been used for implant placement, orthodontics, and surgery, may provide improved detection and sensitivity of these lesions at the expense of greater radiation exposure to sensitive tissues around the head and neck [9].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion