Poster 4: Optical Coherence Tomography – a new era in minimally invasive diagnostics

• Published in: Dental Poster Journal Vol. 2; no. 6; pp. 1 - 2
• Main Authors: Rajagopal, Pooja, Nankar, Meenakshi, Kontham, Ujwal, Walimbe, Hrishikesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangalore Incessant Nature Science Publishers Private Limited 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Dentistry; Medical imaging; Oral hygiene; Pediatrics
• ISSN: 2278-7372

The most frequently encountered disease in pediatric dental practice is DENTAL CARIES. Pedodontists aim to detect caries as early as possible and treat it by minimally invasive techniques .Progression of caries in primary teeth is faster than in permanent teeth and therefore a fast, accurate and non invasive diagnostic aid is imperative in pediatric dentistry practice. Present imaging techniques have limitations in that, they cannot capture images of non-cavitated lesions on the tooth surface. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non invasive, non destructive cross sectional imaging technique that can provide 2D or 3D images with resolution as low as the single micron level. The scans can quantitatively and qualitatively visualize and document the process of demineralization and remineralization of carious lesions.OCT can not only promote early detection of caries at incipient stage but monitor its regression with therapeutic agents or improved oral hygiene thereby quantifying process of remineralization. It thus determines the effectiveness of preventive measures by quantitatively monitoring the changes in mineral status of the caries over time. Visual indication and quantification of the progress in the treatment acts as a motivation factor for the patient for adopting and following an improved oral hygiene regime and return for regular recall visit. The e-poster aims to shed light on this device that can meet the challenges of prevention and early intervention in minimally invasive dentistry.