Non-invasive Imaging of Aging Alteration for Tooth Structure Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Prevalence and severity of tooth crack and tooth wear have increased along with the rapid rise in the elderly population. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising diagnostic method for creating cross-sectional imaging of internal biological structures by measuring echoes of backscattered light. In this study, attempts were made to observe and evaluate the tooth crack and tooth wear using OCT. Using swept source (SS-) OCT, the presence and extent of enamel cracks were clearly visualized on images based on backscattering signals. Extension of enamel cracks beyond the dentinoenamel junction could also be confirmed. Enamel crack behavior on different areas of the teeth was analyzed non-destructively using 3D SS-OCT. A non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL) is a dental hard tissue defect forming due to the loss of tooth structure at the cementoenamel junction that is unrelated to dental caries. Cross-sectional imaging of NCCL in vivo was performed using SS-OCT, and the dimensions of NCCLs, presence of cervical enamel cracks, and demineralization were evaluated and compared. The presence of occlusal attrition was also observed at the clinical site using SS-OCT, and SS-OCT could image the remaining thickness of enamel and dentin clearly.