[Advances in the application of photoacoustic imaging technology for oral disease diagnosis]

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), an emerging hybrid imaging modality, integrates the high spatial resolution of optical imaging with the deep-tissue imaging capability of ultrasound. Emerging evidence from recent studies in dental medicine has demonstrated the unique potential of PAI in screening, diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring of oral pathologies, including periodontal diseases, oral cancers, and pulpal disorders. However, its clinical translation remains contingent upon addressing multiple technical barriers, particularly signal attenuation induced by optical scattering in biological tissues and limitations in real-time imaging efficiency. Therefore, investigating the advancements and challenges of PAI technology in the diagnosis of oral diseases will contribute to advancing further research and clinical applications, thereby providing practical support for improving the accuracy of early diagnosis and the efficacy of treatment for oral diseases.