Objective identification of dental abnormalities with multispectral fluorescence imaging

5 years ago

Objective identification of dental abnormalities with multispectral fluorescence imaging

Arto Koistinen, Ishan Barman, Pauli Fält, Surya Pratap Singh, Arja M. Kullaa, Ramachandra Rao Dasari

Sensitive methods that can enable early detection of dental diseases (caries and calculus) are desirable in clinical practice. Optical spectroscopic approaches have emerged as promising alternatives owing to their wealth of molecular information and lack of sample preparation requirements. In the present study, using multispectral fluorescence imaging, we have demonstrated that dental caries and calculus can be objectively identified on extracted tooth. Spectral differences among control, carious and calculus conditions were attributed to the porphyrin pigment content, which is a byproduct of bacterial metabolism. Spectral maps generated using different porphyrin bands offer important clues to the spread of bacterial infection. Statistically significant differences utilizing fluorescence intensity ratios were observed among three groups. In contrast to laser induced fluorescence, these methods can provide information about exact spread of the infection and may aid in long term dental monitoring. Successful adoption of this approach for routine clinical usage can assist dentists in implementing timely remedial measures. The reliance on examiner experience rather than on quantifiable biomarkers has often been associated with poor diagnostic certainty and overtreatment of dental diseases. Here we present first report of multispectral fluorescence imaging for diagnosis of dental diseases. This can provide real-time, wide-field chemical information, enabling improved diagnostic capabilities reducing the well documented risks, costs, and psychological effects that result from incorrect diagnosis.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201600218