Optical Coherence Tomography as an Auxiliary Tool for the Screening of Radiation-Related Caries

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological alterations of radiation-related caries using optical coherence tomography. Methods: Thirty-six extracted teeth from 11 patients who had undergone radiotherapy were sectioned in the sagittal axis in the center of the carious lesion, and 100 lm thick sections were obtained from each specimen. One sample from each tooth was investigated by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, and the results were compared with histological images from polarized light microscopy. Results: In OCT dentin caries images, the demineralized area appeared as a white region, whereas the translucent zone appeared as a dark area, a similar pattern also seen in coronal caries. In noncavitated enamel lesions clinically observed as brown discoloration, the area of high porosity, and also the dark color, absorbs part of the light, resulting in a dark pattern. Finally, the involvement of dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) or cement-enamel junction (CEJ) could be clearly observed, when present and marked alterations along the CEJ could be noted, as junction continuity loss, gap formation, and mineral loss tissue. Conclusions: The OCT technique was able to characterize radiation-related caries, from a morphological point of view. Also demonstrated was its potential benefit for use in the clinical monitoring of radiation-related carious process.

Structural Analysis of Enamel in Teeth from Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients Who Underwent Radiotherapy

“…The detection of reduced patterns of intrinsic and form birefringence in the cervical enamel of in vivo irradiated samples probably represents incipient structural alterations that might lead to the onset of radiation-related caries if not diagnosed and promptly treated. Previous studies of our group also detected subsuperficial enamel demineralization in posthead-and-neck radiotherapy teeth by using different methodological approaches, including optical light microscopy, polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and, more recently, microtomography [Silva et al, 2009;de Oliveira Mota et al, 2013;Morais-Faria et al, 2015].…”

Feasibility of using optical coherence tomography to detect acute radiation-induced esophageal damage in small animal models

“…The OCT probe insertion-induced edema should be much lower or absent in humans due to availability of dedicated esophageal OCT catheters that can be inserted in a deflated state 32 and because of the larger size of the organ. Previous studies investigated the use of OCT in esophageal and radiation-induced damages, 20,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] the visibility of esophageal layers in OCT images, and the differentiation between healthy and cancerous esophagus. [39][40][41] Esophageal OCT has been used to detect Barrett's esophagus in various studies.…”

Non‐Invasive Periodontal Probing Through Fourier‐Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

“…In dentistry, OCT studies in hard and soft tissues have been performed since 1998, 10 and they have been proposed to be an effective tool to evaluate early caries and caries‐related issues 14‐19 and oral cancer 20 . Some studies analyzed periodontal structures, suggesting the possibility of applying OCT to periodontal diagnostics, 21‐24 but evidence is not yet sufficient, especially related to the gingival sulcus, which is an important parameter of periodontal health and disease.…”

“…Imaging methods are widely used in diagnostic medicine, as reviewed by Dhawan et al 1 Among the diversity of imaging modalities, optical coherence tomography (OCT), first introduced by Huang et al, 2 is now commercially available and considered the most innovative imaging technique used in ophthalmology; 3 it is also used in several other clinical applications such as dermatology, 4,5 gastroenterology, 6 cardiology, 7 gynecology, 8 oncology, 9 dentistry, 10,11 and non-medical applications, for instance, painting 12 and evaluation of materials' porosity. 13 In dentistry, OCT studies in hard and soft tissues have been performed since 1998, 10 and they have been proposed to be an effective tool to evaluate early caries and caries-related issues [14][15][16][17][18][19] and oral cancer. 20 Some studies analyzed periodontal structures, suggesting the possibility of applying OCT to periodontal diagnostics, [21][22][23][24] but evidence is not yet sufficient, especially related to the gingival sulcus, which is an important parameter of periodontal health and disease.…”