MicroCT-based comparison between fluorescence-aided caries excavation and conventional excavation

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Biomaterials engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Dental caries excavation aims to remove decayed tissue while preserving healthy tooth structure.
• Micro-computed tomography (microCT) offers high-resolution imaging for quantitative analysis of mineralized tissues.
• Dentin demineralization and remineralization are key processes in caries management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the mineral concentration of treated dentin surfaces after caries removal using fluorescence-aided caries excavation (FACE) and conventional excavation methods.
• To evaluate the efficacy of micro-computed tomography (microCT) in assessing mineral content post-excavation.

Main Methods:

• Twenty extracted human teeth with dentin caries were divided into FACE and conventional excavation groups.
• MicroCT was employed to analyze the mineral concentration of the excavated dentin surfaces.
• Image J software and a calibration curve using hydroxyapatite phantoms were utilized to calculate linear attenuation coefficients and mineral concentrations.

Main Results:

• The treated dentin surface in the FACE group exhibited a significantly lower linear attenuation coefficient (2.13 cm⁻¹) compared to the conventional excavation group (2.98 cm⁻¹).
• Calculated mineral concentration was 0.68 g/cm³ for FACE and 1.05 g/cm³ for conventional excavation, representing 47% and 73% of sound dentin (1.44 g/cm³), respectively.
• These findings suggest that FACE is a more conservative caries removal technique.

Conclusions:

• MicroCT is a valuable tool for quantitatively assessing mineral concentration in dentin after caries excavation.
• Fluorescence-aided caries excavation (FACE) results in a more conservative removal of affected dentin compared to conventional mechanical excavation.
• The findings support FACE as a potentially superior method for preserving tooth structure during caries treatment.