The present investigation was carried out to determine the levels of blood serum components and inflammatory cytokines in diabetic rat model [Goto-Kakizaki (GK), Zucker, and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Sprague Dawley (SD) rats] underwent abdominal Light-Emitting Diode (LED) irradiation. The animals were subdivided into the following groups: diabetic control rats (GK, Zucker, STZ) and diabetic rats treated with LED (GK + LED, Zucker + LED, and STZ + LED) (n = 7). The animals were irradiated three times weekly for 12 weeks in LED (850 nm) at a dose of 10 J/cm² for 500 s. Body weight was significantly lower in the Zucker-LED group compared to control at 10 weeks and this pattern was maintained until 12 weeks of age. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased (5.1 ± 1.1 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6, P < 0.05; 43.6 ± 8.8 vs. 29.8 ± 5.4, P < 0.05; 98.3 ± 15.8 vs. 68.1 ± 13.7, P < 0.01) in the Zucker-LED group compared with the control rats. Similarly, the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides of LED groups were decreased in comparison with that of diabetic control rats. In conclusion, we suggest that abdominal LED irradiation can reduce body weight and LED irradiation could be applicable for use against diabetic-induced inflammatory factors.

Non-invasive in vivo imaging of lymphatic system is of paramount importance for analyzing the functions of lymphatic vessels, and for investigating their contribution to metastasis. Recently, we reported on the development of a multi-wavelength real-time LED-based photoacoustic/ultrasound system (AcousticX). In this work, for the first time, we demonstrate that AcousticX is capable of real-time imaging of human lymphatic system. Results demonstrate the capability of our system in imaging vascular and lymphatic system simultaneously, which in turn could potentially provide detailed information regarding the interconnected roles of lymphatic and vascular system in diseases and foster the growth of therapeutic interventions.

Detection of carious lesions remains to be diagnostically challenging, dentists need an imaging technology that can noninvasively and reliably quantify the extent of caries. Dental radiographs do not have the sensitivity for early lesions, and by the time the lesions are radiolucent they have often progressed well into dentin. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of optical coherent tomography (OCT) in detecting and estimating the depth of dental caries in vitro and in vivo.

The sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) of swept-source (SS-) OCT for the detection of smooth surface caries, occlusal caries, proximal caries, and caries under the composite restorations were calculated and compared with visual inspection or radiography.

SS-OCT could demonstrate the cross-sectional image of caries as highlighted zone in tomogram. The caries under the composite up to 2 mm thickness also appeared as bright zone that was clearly distinguished from intact dentin.

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.

In periodontal therapy, assessment of periodontal tissues is important before, during, and after therapy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact, non-invasive, high-resolution imaging technique that can be used to create cross-sectional images of periodontal hard and soft tissues. In this article, the history of OCT application for the observation of periodontal tissues is reviewed and the potential of OCT as a diagnostic technique in periodontal therapy is discussed.

Endodontic treatment is a procedure performed to preserve a tooth with pulpal and/or periapical diseases by controlling causative bacterial infection within the root canal system and preventing reinfection. Any attempt to perform endodontic treatment must be preceded with a three-dimensional understanding of the morphological complexity of the pulp chamber and the root canal system to be treated. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a medical imaging technique that can obtain a precise tomogram inside the tissue non-invasively using near infrared light. In this article, we will give an overview of possible application of OCT to various phases of endodontic treatment, including detection of the pulp chamber and root canal, inspection of the resected root surface during apicoectomy and diagnosis of vertical root fracture, based primarily on our experimental findings.

About thirty years have passed since the development of Optical Coherence Tomography (OTC). In this period, a number of research projects, particularly in ophthalmology, have been vigorously and successfully carried out. One of the reasons for the success of this research has been that the eye tissues studied, such as those in the eyeball, resembled optical parts. So, it was relatively easy to develop research that focused on challenges these parts presented. However, in dentistry the teeth that are targeted for research are clearly different in this respect from the eye tissues targeted in ophthalmology because they have complicated shapes. In dentistry recently, research using OCT has gradually advanced, and announcements and presentations of this research have been made. Even so, there are no dental OCT devices on the market that have been certified for manufacturing. I hope to achieve a breakthrough that will uproot the status quo in this field, and so I have begun research and development on an OCT device for use in dentistry. I have developed a device suitable for clinical use, and here I introduce the device’s functions and structure.

The activities of Social Insurance Committee of the Japan Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine for current medical fee revision and the results were described. In addition, the summary of the laser equipments that have been approved by government and the present insurance coverage for laser treatment were described in detail.