Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the evaluation of internal adaptation of class V resin restorations on Dentin

Internal adaptation of adhesive restorations affects their longevity. In a clinical setting, the dentists use visual and tactile examination to evaluate marginal adaptation, while radiographs provide somewhat reliable information about adaptation or secondary caries present. For class V restorations located on the vestibular (buccal) surfaces, none of the tools available can provide any information about the internal adaptation or the presence of secondary caries. OCT has been proven to be a useful tool for non-destructive assessment of internal adaptation of adhesive restorations. This paper is evaluating the use of a new high-resolution handheld OCT prototype with a pen-shaped intraoral tip and an imaging depth of 8mm to examine the internal adaptation and the presence of demineralization under resin restorations on the vestibular dentin surface. The Axsun OCT system helped evaluate the internal adaptation of composite restorations, differentiate between healthy and demineralised dentin, adhesive, and restoration layers. OCT provided a unique visualization and characterization of internal structures as well as non-contact assessment of marginal adaptation.