Near-infrared imaging of artificial enamel caries lesions with a scanning fiber endoscope

Several studies have shown that near-infrared imaging has great potential for detection of dental caries lesions. A miniature scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) operating at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths was developed and used in this study to test whether the device could be used to discriminate demineralized enamel from sound enamel. Varying depths of artificial enamel caries lesions were prepared on twenty bovine blocks with smooth enamel surfaces. Samples were imaged with a SFE operating in the reflectance mode at 1310-nm and 1460-nm in both wet and dry conditions. The measurements acquired by the SFE operating at 1460-nm show significant difference between the sound and the demineralized enamel. There was a moderate positive correlation between the SFE measurements and micro-CT measurements, and the NIR SFE was able to detect the presence of demineralization with high sensitivity (0.96) and specificity (0.85). This study demonstrates that the NIR SFE can be used to detect early demineralization from sound enamel. In addition, the NIR SFE can differentiate varying severity of demineralization. With its very small form factor and maneuverability, the NIR SFE should allow clinicians to easily image teeth from multiple viewing angles in real-time.

Author dc:creator

• Lee, Robert C.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Seibel, Eric J

• demineralization
• dental caries detection
• micro computed tomography
• near-infrared imaging
• quantitative enamel imaging
• reflectance imaging
• Medical imaging
• Dentistry
• Biomedical engineering

Statement dc:rights

• none

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1773/43664

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.lib.washington.edu:1773/43664