抄録
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new biomedical imaging modality which can generate high-resolution, cross-sectional images of microstructures in biological systems. One of the most attractive features of OCT is that it uses safe near-infrared light instead of hazardous ionizing radiation. Furthermore, resolution on the order of 10 micrometers can be obtained. The optical accessibility of clinically relevant structures in the oral cavity makes it a particularly attractive location for the application of OCT imaging techniques. Our National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology has developed a new swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system through joint research with industry and the public sector. In this study, this new SS-OCT system was applied to cross-sectional imaging of dental caries, resin based composite restorations, periodontal disease, oral cancer and finished dentures. It is concluded that our new SS-OCT system is a promising new and useful alternative imaging technique which can safely provide much more definitive information on oral structures at far higher resolution than is possible by conventional clinical imaging methods. The National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology received the world's first production unit of this new dental SS-OCT system.
