Novel biophotonics-based techniques in dental medicine - a literature review

Abstract

Introduction. Biophotonics deals with interactions between light and biological matter, integrating knowledge of physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine for solving specific biomedical or life science problems. Due to the ability to provide non-invasive, highly sensitive tissue information and inducing specific localized tissue ablation, biophotonics-based technologies may be of utmost importance in improving dental healthcare. The aim of this review article is to give an overview of contemporary biophotonics-based technologies and their applications in dental research and clinical practice. Various applications of biophotonics-based technologies. Biomedical imaging techniques (nonlinear microscopy methods and optical coherence tomography), photo-mechanical methods (digital holographic interferometry, photo-elasticity, digital image correlation, Moir? interferometry), optical spectroscopy techniques (Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy), fiber Bragg grating sensors, photodynamic therapy, photo-biostimulation, and femtosecond laser applications are presented in this paper. Conclusion. In accordance with the modern tendencies of prevention and timely diagnosis of oral diseases, biophotonics may be considered the leading scientific discipline on the path of progress of dental medicine and technology. Therefore, this paper provides an overview of modern methods based on biophotonics and summarizes their applicability focusing on the field of dental medicine.