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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Dentistry
Omer Sefvan Janjua1, Waqar Jeelani2, Muhammad Ikram Khan3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMC Dental Institute, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT), an "optical biopsy," provides high-resolution tissue imaging comparable to histopathology. This advanced diagnostic tool is increasingly adopted in dentistry for pathology and surface assessments, becoming a gold standard for orofacial conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Dental Imaging Technologies
Background:
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an advanced imaging technique offering histopathology-level resolution.
- It functions as an "optical biopsy" using near-infrared (NIR) light and low-coherence interferometry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the principles and applications of OCT in dentistry.
- To highlight OCT's transition from research to clinical practice in oral healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Principles of low-coherence interferometry and NIR light application in OCT.
- Categorization of OCT applications into pathology assessment and surface/interface analysis in dentistry.
Main Results:
- OCT provides cross-sectional images based on backscattered light and echo time delay.
- Two primary OCT types are time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) and Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT).
- OCT is emerging as a gold standard for diagnosing orofacial conditions and lesions.
Conclusions:
- OCT is a valuable tool for oral pathology, oral medicine, and oral implantology.
- Integrating OCT into dental curricula and training is the next crucial step for widespread adoption.
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