We aim to characterize natural caries enamel lesions by fluorescence spectroscopy. Sixty human samples with natural noncavitated caries lesions on smooth surfaces were selected and classified into three groups: dull, shiny, and brown lesions. All the samples were analyzed externally at the natural surface and after hemisectionig internally at the center of the lesion. The lesions were excited with a 405-nm InGaN diode laser and the fluorescence was collected with a single grating spectrometer. Four emission bands (455, 500, 582, and 622 nm) are identified in both sound and carious regions. The area under each emission band is correlated with the total area of the four bands for the sound and carious regions. The detected fluorescence from natural and cut surfaces through the caries lesions is not statistically different for the shiny and dull lesion, but is different [analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p<0.05)] for brown lesion at all emission bands. At the 405-nm excitation wavelength, the area of the fluorescence bands at 455 and 500 nm differ statistically for natural carious lesions and sound tissue.
We report on the use of a blue laser diode to excite natural fluorescence from a range of dental
samples. Sixty teeth with naturally occurring lesions were examined. The lesions were classified on
visual inspection as falling into three classes as shiny lesions, dull lesions and brown lesions. The
resulting fluorescence was then examined using a fibre optically coupled spectrometer in a series of
wavelength bands. By examining the intensity ratios in the two wavelength bands 480-500nm and
620 to 640nm we were able to classify the lesion types and thus provide a quantifiable measurement
of lesion types. This method has application for detection of dental caries as well as demonstrating
potential application to evaluate lesions which may represent different degrees of caries activity.
In order to stop or prevent the progression of dental disease, early detection and quantification of decay are crucially important. Dental decay (caries) detection methods have traditionally involved clinical examination by eye, using probes and dental radiography, but up to 60% of lesions are missed. What the dentist requires is a cheap, reliable method of detection of early disease, ideally with information on the depth and rate of growth or healing. Conventional commercial scanning confocal microscopes are unsuitable for use on dental patients. We report on a fibre optic based confocal microscope designed for in vivo examination of caries lesions. The system utilizes a common fibre both as the source and to detect the reflected confocal signal. The initial system has been optimized using dielectric mirrors and the thickness of the stack has been measured with high precision. Dental samples have been examined and the system has been demonstrated to provide information on the depth and mineral loss of a lesion. Fibre optic microscopy (FOCM) demonstrates a practical route to developing an in vivo caries profiler. In this paper, the FOCM and its applications in caries detection are described and the potential of this scheme as a practical dental probe is discussed.
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