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In vitro Assessment of lesion activity using simultaneous time-resolved reflectance imaging at 1300 and 1950 nm.
Spencer Wycoff1, Yihua Zhu1, Daniel Fried2
1University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0758, USA.
Lasers in Medical Science
|August 27, 2024
Summary
This study shows a new way to detect active dental caries using a single photodetector and two short wavelength infrared (SWIR) light wavelengths. This method improves the assessment of lesion activity by analyzing water absorption differences.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Dental Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Dental caries detection remains a challenge.
- Accurate assessment of caries activity is crucial for timely intervention.
- Current methods may lack specificity or invasiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the feasibility of a time-resolved reflectance imaging system for assessing dental caries activity.
- To investigate the use of differential water absorption at 1300 nm and 1950 nm.
- To evaluate a single photodetector system for caries activity assessment.
Main Methods:
- Time-resolved reflectance measurements were performed on extracted teeth with active and arrested caries.
- Simultaneous monitoring at 1300 nm and 1950 nm during forced air drying.
- Microcomputed tomography (microCT) used to confirm lesion activity via mineralization.
- Kinetic parameters from short wavelength infrared (SWIR) dehydration curves were extracted.
Main Results:
- Differences in reflectivity at 1300 nm and 1950 nm improved discrimination between active and arrested lesions.
- A single photodetector system at 1950 nm showed feasibility for collecting dehydration curves.
- Using two SWIR wavelengths enhanced the assessment of lesion activity compared to 1950 nm alone.
Conclusions:
- A time-resolved reflectance imaging system with a single photodetector is feasible for assessing caries activity.
- Employing two SWIR wavelengths with differential water absorption significantly improves caries lesion activity assessment.
- This technique offers a promising non-invasive approach for dental diagnostics.
