In vitro imaging of remaining dentin and pulp chamber by optical coherence tomography: comparison between 850 and 1280 nm

• Published in: Journal of biomedical optics Vol. 14; no. 2; p. 024009
• Main Authors: Fonse Ca, Déborah D D, Kyotoku, Bernardo B C, Maia, Ana M A, Gomes, Anderson S L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2009
• Subjects: Chambers; Dental Pulp - cytology; Dentin; Dentin - cytology; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; In Vitro Techniques; In vitro testing; Lighting - methods; Molar - cytology; Optical Coherence Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Restoration; Sensitivity and Specificity; Teeth; Tomography; Tomography, Optical Coherence - methods
• ISSN: 1083-3668
• DOI: 10.1117/1.3103584

We report the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to generate images of the remaining dentin and pulp chamber of in vitro human teeth. Bidimensional images of remaining dentin and of the pulp chamber were obtained parallel to the long axis of the teeth, by two OCT systems operating around 1280 and 850 nm, and compared to tomography images using the i-CAT(R) Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography system as the gold standard. The results demonstrated the efficacy of the OCT technique; furthermore, the wavelength close to 1280 nm presented greater penetration depth in the dentine than 850 nm, as expected from scattering and absorption coefficients. The OCT technique has great potential to be used on clinical practice, preventing accidental exposure of the pulp and promoting preventive restoration treatment.