Early stage dental caries detection using near infrared spatial frequency domain imaging

Alistair D Bounds,John M Girkin

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81872-7

Alistair D Bounds, John M Girkin

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81872-7

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Jan 28, 2021
Citations: 12	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Durham University

Abstract

Early stage dental caries can be remineralized without the need for “drill-and-fill” treatments that are more invasive and less permanent. However, early stage caries lesions typically present as a white spot on a white background, resulting in many lesions only being identified after they have developed beyond the point of remineralization as cavities. We present a spatial frequency domain imaging technique to characterize the optical properties of dental tissue. This technique enables different dental tissue types (healthy enamel, healthy dentin and damaged or demineralized enamel) to be easily distinguished from one another and allows quantification of the reduced scattering coefficients of dental tissue. The use of near-infrared light at 850 nm allows high depth penetration into the tissue and suppression of absorption effects, ensuring only changes in the reduced scattering coefficient that result directly from demineralization of enamel are observed and simplifying the analysis method. This technique provides a tool to both guide the attention of dentists to areas of interest and potential demineralization, and to provide longitudinal quantified assessments to monitor caries lesion behaviour over time.

Highlights

Stage dental caries can be remineralized without the need for “drill-and-fill” treatments that are more invasive and less permanent
In a healthy tooth the white color is primarily due to light that is transmitted through the enamel and back-scattered by the dentin
The path of light is disturbed by the presence of dental caries, resulting in a strong increase in optical scattering at the site of dental caries. This does not necessarily make the caries obvious, as caries may present as a white spot on a white background

Summary

Introduction

Stage dental caries can be remineralized without the need for “drill-and-fill” treatments that are more invasive and less permanent. The use of near-infrared light at 850 nm allows high depth penetration into the tissue and suppression of absorption effects, ensuring only changes in the reduced scattering coefficient that result directly from demineralization of enamel are observed and simplifying the analysis method. This technique provides a tool to both guide the attention of dentists to areas of interest and potential demineralization, and to provide longitudinal quantified assessments to monitor caries lesion behaviour over time. The challenges of filling treatments relative to remineralization treatments is reflected in the worldwide drive to reduce the use of “drill and fill” treatments[9]

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Results

Conclusion