Near-Infrared Imaging of Artificial Enamel Caries Lesions with a Scanning Fiber Endoscope.

Robert Lee,Yaxuan Zhou,Alireza Sadr,Eric Seibel,Sara Finkleman

doi:10.3390/s19061419

Abstract

Several studies have shown that near-infrared imaging has great potential for the detection of dental caries lesions. A miniature scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) operating at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths was developed and used in this study to test whether the device could be used to discriminate demineralized enamel from sound enamel. Varying depths of artificial enamel caries lesions were prepared on 20 bovine blocks with smooth enamel surfaces. Samples were imaged with a SFE operating in the reflectance mode at 1310-nm and 1460-nm in both wet and dry conditions. The measurements acquired by the SFE operating at 1460-nm show significant difference between the sound and the demineralized enamel. There was a moderate positive correlation between the SFE measurements and micro-CT measurements, and the NIR SFE was able to detect the presence of demineralization with high sensitivity (0.96) and specificity (0.85). This study demonstrates that the NIR SFE can be used to detect early demineralization from sound enamel. In addition, the NIR SFE can differentiate varying severities of demineralization. With its very small form factor and maneuverability, the NIR SFE should allow clinicians to easily image teeth from multiple viewing angles in real-time.

Highlights

Since the introduction of water fluoridation in the 20th century, the prevalence and severity of dental caries has been constantly decreasing in the United States [1,2]
Surface demineralization is clearly visible in the lesion windows
There was no significant difference in NIR Scanning fiber endoscope (SFE)

Summary

Introduction

Since the introduction of water fluoridation in the 20th century, the prevalence and severity of dental caries has been constantly decreasing in the United States [1,2]. Dental caries remains a significant problem in the United States [1,5,6]. The majority of newly discovered caries lesions are located in pits and fissures of posterior teeth and on interproximal surfaces between adjacent teeth where they are difficult to detect [7,8,9]. If caries lesions are detected early, they can be treated via non-surgical interventions and loss of tooth structure is avoided [7,8]. Signs of enamel caries lesions or demineralization are initially seen as “white spot lesions”

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