Early caries detection using optical coherence tomography: a review of the literature

Abstract

Early detection of carious lesions increases the possibility of treatment without the need for surgical intervention. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging three-dimensional imaging technique that has been successfully used in other medical fields, such as ophthalmology for optical biopsy, and is a prospective candidate for early caries detection. The technique is based on low coherence interferometry and is advantageous in that it is non-invasive, does not use ionizing radiation, and can render threedimensional images. A brief history of the development of this technique and its principles are discussed in this paper. There have been numerous studies on caries detection, which were mostly in vitro or ex vivo experiments. Through these studies, the feasibility of OCT for caries detection was confirmed. However, further research should be performed, including in vivo studies of OCT applications, in order to prove the clinical usefulness of this technique. In addition, some technological problems must be resolved in the near future to allow for the use of OCT in everyday practice. [J Kor Acad Cons Dent 2011;36(5):367-376.]

Differential diagnosis of periapical cyst using collagen birefringence pattern of the cyst wall

“…Many authors have investigated collagen birefringence in various tissues, including arterial walls,17 intestine submucosae,1819 uterine tubes,20 ligaments,21 and bones 142223. It appears these collagen bundles in different organs have characteristic birefringence, because they were partly sclerosed due to the effects of expansile tensile stresses.…”

“…Many authors have investigated collagen birefringence in various tissues, including arterial walls, 17 intestine submucosae, 18 19 uterine tubes, 20 ligaments, 21 and bones. 14 22 23 It appears these collagen bundles in different organs have characteristic birefringence, because they were partly sclerosed due to the effects of expansile tensile stresses. A similar condition might occur in PCs, as fibrous collagen bundles encircling the cystic cavity became sclerosed due to increasing tensile stress associated with continuous expansion.…”

How to designin situstudies: an evaluation of experimental protocols

“…Researchers usually rely on references chosen from their own perspectives. Often, various protocols are produced by their value judgments which are personal and subjective preferences under individual circumstances 5,6,7. We thought that it was necessary to collect and evaluate preexisting protocols to overcome the methodological heterogeneity in in situ caries models.…”

“…Often, various protocols are produced by their value judgments which are personal and subjective preferences under individual circumstances. 5 , 6 , 7 We thought that it was necessary to collect and evaluate preexisting protocols to overcome the methodological heterogeneity in in situ caries models. This evaluation may not help academic or clinical experts perform caries studies specifically for their elaborated hypotheses.…”