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Biomedical subjects

John D B Featherstone

Publications and source records attributed to John D B Featherstone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Delivery challenges for fluoride, chlorhexidine and xylitol.

The progression or reversal of dental caries is determined by the balance between pathological and protective factors. It is well established that a) fluoride inhibits demineralization and enhances remineralization, b) chlorhexidine reduces the cariogenic bacterial challenge, and c) xylitol is non-cariogenic and has antibacterial properties. The challenge that we face is how best to deliver these anti-caries entities at true therapeutic levels, over time, to favorably tip the caries balance. High caries risk people, including children with Early Childhood Caries (ECC), are a special challenge, since high cariogenic bacterial activity can override fluoride therapy. Current fluoride and chlorhexidine varnishes deliver all their activity within about 24 hours. Early studies with experimental slow release fluoride devices retained elevated levels of fluoride for months in a therapeutic range but have not been pursued. Preventive dentistry has largely ignored the benefits of reducing the bacterial challenge, partially due to primitive and inadequate delivery systems. For example, Chlorhexidine applied as a rinse partially reduces some bacteria but not others that are hiding within the biofilm. Better antibacterials and better delivery systems are needed. Xylitol delivered by gum or lozenge appears to be effective clinically in reducing cariogenic bacteria and caries levels, but novel systems that deliver therapeutic amounts when needed would be a major advance, especially for young children. Reducing the cariogenic bacterial challenge and enhancing the effect of fluoride by the use of new sustained-delivery systems would have a major effect on dealing with caries as a disease.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Dissolution studies of bovine dental enamel surfaces modified by high-speed scanning ablation with a lambda = 9.3-microm TEA CO(2) laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated that lasers can be used to modify the chemical composition of dental enamel to render the mineral phase more resistant to acid dissolution with minimal peripheral thermal damage. Transverse excited atmospheric (TEA) CO(2) lasers tuned to the strong mineral absorption of hydroxyapatite (HAP) near lambda = 9 microm are well-suited for the efficient ablation of dental hard tissues if the laser-pulse is stretched to greater than 5-10 microseconds to avoid plasma shielding phenomena. Moreover, TEA CO(2) lasers can be operated at very high repetition rates and are inherently less expensive and more versatile than Er:YAG and Er:YSGG solid-state lasers. In this study a lambda = 9.3-microm TEA CO(2) with a pulse duration of 8 microseconds and a repetition rate of 300 Hz was used to uniformly treat bovine enamel surfaces at ablative irradiation intensities. We hypothesized that a uniform surface layer of modified enamel of improved crystallinity and CaP phase composition would be formed with an enhanced resistance to acid-dissolution in the ablated areas at higher scanning rates used with the water spray. Such a modified layer of enamel formed at the base and walls of a cavity preparation under the irradiation conditions employed in this study have the potential to inhibit secondary caries under sealants and restorations. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surfaces of bovine enamel blocks (3 x 3 mm(2)) were rapidly scanned across the laser beam at rates of 2, 3, and 6 mm/second with and without a water-spray at an incident fluence of 30 J/cm(2). The resistance to acid dissolution was evaluated using controlled surface dissolution experiments on laser-irradiated and control samples. RESULTS: The groups irradiated at a fluence of 30 J/cm(2) with a repetition rate of 300 Hz and a high scan rate of 6 mm/second with and without water-cooling significantly reduced the overall surface dissolution rates (P < 0.001). At low scan rates (2-3 mm/second) excessive heat deposition resulted in the formation of an outer layer of asperities containing non-apatitic CaP phases that were more susceptible to acid-dissolution. At a scanning rate of 6 mm/second even without the water spray a layer of purer phase HAP was formed without thermal damage, indicating that a high scanning rate can be used to avoid excessive thermal damage during ablation. The best results (80% inhibition) were attained for the higher scanning speed 6-mm/second combined with a water spray. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that an enamel surface with enhanced resistance to acid dissolution is produced after ablation with lambda = 9.3-microm TEA CO(2) laser pulses delivered at high-repetition rates if sufficiently high scanning rates are used with or without a water-spray.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Comparative calcium binding of leucine-rich amelogenin peptide and full-length amelogenin.

Leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) is an alternately spliced amelogenin. LRAP is known to bind to hydroxyapatite, and has been shown to signal mesenchymal cells to proliferate, but its function in enamel formation is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the calcium-binding properties and structure of recombinant human LRAP (rLRAP) compared with full-length amelogenin (rH174). rLRAP and rH174 were synthesized in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Calcium binding was measured by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) at pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C, and raw data were analyzed by origin 7.0 software. The structure of rLRAP was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) in the absence or presence of Ca2+, pH 7.5 and 4.0, at 25 degrees C. Thermodynamic values showed that rLRAP had a Ca2+-binding affinity approximately 6.4-times greater than rH174. NMR and CD data revealed that rLRAP was randomly coiled, and that this structure was not altered by Ca2+, which bound to rLRAP and rH174 via ionic interactions. Unlike r174 (beta-spiral), rLRAP had a random-coiled structure. The calcium binding and structural differences between rLRAP and rH174 suggest that these proteins have different functions in enamel biomineralization.

Amelogenesis↗
PubMed2006

Antibacterial treatment needed for severe early childhood caries.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a single 10% povidone iodine application as an adjunct to extensive surgical procedures in the clinical treatment of children with early childhood caries. METHODS: Twenty-two children scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia were randomized into either an intervention group (10% povidone iodine), or a control group (phosphate buffered saline). Either povidone iodine or phosphate buffered saline was applied to teeth and soft tissues after prophylaxis and all operative dental procedures, followed by 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel. Saliva samples taken at baseline, and after 1 hour, 3 weeks and 3 months were assayed for mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and total viable bacteria. Caries lesions were recorded at baseline and at one year. RESULTS: Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in the povidone iodine group were significantly reduced relative to baseline at 1 hour, 3 weeks and 3 months. At one year at least 60% of subjects had new caries lesions in each group, and there was no significant difference in caries increment between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Even prophylaxis, fluoride gel application and complete surgical treatment of caries at baseline were insufficient to prevent new caries in over 60% of the patients in these high caries risk infants. Although the one-time treatment with povidone iodine reduced mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels for up to 3 months this therapy failed to additionally reduce future caries formation over one year, indicating that repeated antibacterial treatments will be needed to control high levels of cariogenic bacteria.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2005

Prevention of enamel demineralization: an in-vitro study using light-cured filled sealant.

INTRODUCTION: Enamel demineralization is an undesirable side effect of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of applying a light-cured filled sealant onto the buccal tooth surfaces to prevent demineralization. METHODS: Fifty extracted human third molars were allocated to 1 of 5 groups: (1) enamel surface untreated (control); (2) surface etched; (3) fluoride varnish applied; (4) enamel etched and coated with a light-cured, unfilled sealant (control sealant); and (5) enamel etched and coated with a light-cured, filled sealant (Pro Seal, Reliance Orthodontic Products, Itasca, Ill). The enamel surface of each specimen was brushed for 15,000 strokes with nonfluoride toothpaste slurry with a piston-action brushing machine under a standardized load. All samples were then cycled for 14 days through a daily procedure of demineralization for 6 hours and remineralization for 17 hours. Then the teeth were sectioned and evaluated quantitatively by cross-sectional microhardness testing. RESULTS: Demineralization in the Pro Seal group was significantly less (P < .05) than in the other groups. Teeth treated with fluoride varnish exhibited 30% less demineralization than the control teeth, the enamel-etched teeth, and the teeth treated with a light-cured, unfilled sealant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Pro Seal can be considered for use as a preventive method to reduce enamel demineralization adjacent to orthodontic attachments, particularly in patients who exhibit poor compliance with oral hygiene and home fluoride use.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Early caries imaging and monitoring with near-infrared light.

Enamel is highly transparent in the near infrared (NIR); therefore, this region of the electromagnetic spectrum is suited ideally for the development of new optical diagnostic tools for the detection and imaging of early dental caries. This article discusses the NIR optical properties of sound and demineralized dental enamel and the potential use of polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography and NIR transillumination for the imaging of dental caries.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed2005

Digital imaging fiber-optic trans-illumination, F-speed radiographic film and depth of approximal lesions.

BACKGROUND: Detection of early carious lesions is a prerequisite to an optimal preventive and minimal surgical intervention strategy. The authors conducted this study to determine whether Digital Imaging Fiber-Optic Trans-Illumination (DIFOTI) (Electro-Optical Sciences, Irvington, N.Y.) could be useful in evaluating early approximal lesions and to compare radiographs produced with F-speed film with both histologic lesion depth and cavitation. METHODS: The authors created artificial approximal lesions in vitro in extracted teeth over 14 weeks and imaged them using a "bitewing-like" view every two weeks with DIFOTI and F-speed radiographic film. At the end of the 14 weeks, the authors examined the lesions for surface cavitation using visual and tactile methods. They then thin-sectioned the lesions and subjected them to histologic analysis using polarized light microscopy (PLM). RESULTS: DIFOTI was not able to measure the depth of a lesion in any of the samples. It was, however, able to show surface changes associated with early demineralization as early as two weeks. The depth of a lesion measured using F-speed radiographic film was not statistically different from the depth of a lesion measured with PLM histologic analysis (P > .05). None of the lesions showed any signs of surface cavitation after 14 weeks of demineralization. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: DIFOTI technology should not be used to decide between surgical or chemical treatment strategies based on lesion depth. We found that F-speed radiographic film was accurate in the approximating the depth of the lesion histologically. Ideally, the clinical decision whether to cut the tooth should be made based on cavitation rather than histologic lesion depth.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed2005

Cariogenic virulence characteristics of mutans streptococci isolated from caries-active and caries-free adults.

The objective of the study was to compare aciduricity (ability, to live in acid), acidogenicity (ability to produce acid), and intracellular polysaccharide production of mutans streptococci (MS) strains isolated from caries-active (CA, with one or more cavitated lesions) and caries-free (CF, with no clinically observable new caries in the last five years) adults. Forty-three MS strains from 17 of 17 CA adults, and 14 strains from eight of 12 CF adults were investigated. MS isolates' growth, survival, and pH reduction in pH 3.5-7.0 broths were evaluated to compare their acidogenicity and aciduricity. Extracellular water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) and water-insoluble polysaccharide (WISP) was extracted from MS culture in BHI broth with 5 percent sucrose and assessed by a colorimetric anthrone-sulfuric acid microassay. No significant differences in mean aciduricity were found between CA and CF MS isolates (P>0.05, t test). However, significantly more CA subjects (29 percent) were colonized by MS strains with aciduricity above the average than CF subjects (13 percent, Fisher's exact test, P<0.05). Furthermore, CA MS strains produced significantly more acid at pH<5 (Mann-Whitney, P<0.05) and significantly more CA subjects were colonized with more acidogenic MS at pH<4.5 (Fisher's exact test, P<0.01). Similarly, CA MS isolates produced significantly more WISP than CF (Mann-Whitney test, P<0.01) while no statistical difference was found in WSP between the two groups. More CA subjects were colonized by multiple strains with aciduricity, acidogenicity, and polysaccharide synthesis ability above average. The study indicated that differences in acidogenicity, aciduricity, and polysaccharide synthesis in strains of MS may partially contribute to increased caries activity.

Acids↗
PubMed2005

Anticaries potential of a stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the anticaries potential of stabilized stannous fluoride and sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice using a series of laboratory studies. In a study of fluoride uptake into demineralized enamel, the stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice exhibited fluoride uptake comparable to the clinically proven stannous fluoride and silica dentifrice. Under lesion progression pH-cycling conditions, the stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice was shown to protect teeth against lesion initiation and progression almost completely, and was comparable to conventional, clinically proven dentifrices. This series of well-controlled and validated in vitro studies demonstrates the anticaries potential of the stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice. These in vitro results suggest that the stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrice may provide enhanced anticaries performance relative to a sodium fluoride control dentifrice. These results are reflective of the clinical benefits previously reported for stabilized stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate dentifrices.

Cariostatic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Pulpal safety of 9.6 microm TEA CO2 laser used for caries prevention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lasers are used for several procedures involving hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. A potential future application is the use of the CO2 laser to alter the surface structure of tooth enamel to render it more resistant to caries. A new 9.6 microm wavelength transverse excited atmospheric pressure (TEA) CO2 laser (Argus Photonics, Jupiter, FL) has been investigated as a device that can be used for this purpose without harming the dental pulp. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Erupted caries- and restoration-free third molars (n = 24 participants; 74 teeth) were used in the study. Teeth were irradiated at an incident fluence of 1.5 J/cm2, a repetition rate of 10 Hz and a spot size 1 mm in diameter. At the low and high settings, 200-400 pulses at 5-8 microseconds pulse duration were delivered at 12 mJ per pulse for a total energy of 2.4 or 4.8 J delivered for 20 or 40 seconds, respectively. Other teeth were subjected to a sham dental procedure (positive control) or no procedure (negative control). Prior to testing, radiographs were taken of all teeth, and they were assessed pulpally using heat, cold, and electricity to determine vitality. The teeth were removed either immediately or at 1 week or 1 month after testing. RESULTS: Teeth were bioprepared and examined histologically for signs of inflammation. Only one tooth developed symptoms of sensitivity to cold for 10 days following exposure to the high power level. The sensitivity was of fleeting duration and was judged to be reversible pulpitis. All teeth tested responded normally at pre-testing and pre-extraction time periods. Histological examination of all teeth disclosed no indication of an inflammatory response in the pulp tissue at any time point. All sections appeared normal with no changes seen in the normal pulpal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the 9.6 microm wavelength laser causes no permanent/serious pulpal damage at the energy levels used and can be used safely for caries prevention treatments in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Salivary fluoride levels following application of fluoride varnish or fluoride rinse.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the concentration of fluoride in whole saliva over time following the application of a fluoride varnish or a single rinse with a fluoride solution. METHODS: A two-period, two-treatment randomized cross-over experimental trial with a 2-week washout period was used with 16 adult subjects. In the first period, eight subjects rinsed once with a 0.05% NaF solution and 8 subjects had 5.0% NaF varnish applied to facial and lingual surfaces of 20 teeth. Stimulated whole saliva was collected at baseline, 5 and 15 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 32, 48, 56, 72, 80, 96, 104 h. After the washout period each subject was switched to the other treatment and saliva was collected at the same intervals. Salivary fluoride content was measured with the micro-diffusion method. RESULTS: The NaF levels peaked at 5 min after application for both varnish (mean +/- SE 24.5 +/- 5.0 ppm) and rinse (3.2 +/- 0.8 ppm). Mean NaF levels returned to baseline, on average, within 2 h for the rinse and within 24 h for the varnish. The maximum fluoride levels were significantly greater (P < 0.01) with the varnish than with the rinse and remained above baseline levels for a longer duration. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary fluoride levels with the rinse returned to baseline, on average, in 2 h while they remained elevated for, on average, 24 h with the varnish. Salivary fluoride levels from the varnish were found to be comparable with those in previous studies for 1.1% neutral NaF.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2004

The caries balance: the basis for caries management by risk assessment.

Dental caries progression or reversal depends upon the balance between demineralization and remineralization. The 'Caries Balance' is determined by the relative weight of the sums of pathological factors and protective factors. Minimally invasive dentistry aims at the least possible removal of enamel or dentin, including reducing pathological factors and enhancing remineralization to avoid any removal of hard tissues. A structured caries risk assessment should be carried out based upon the concept of the caries balance. Following the risk assessment a treatment plan is devised which leads to the control of dental caries for the patient. The balance between pathological and preventive factors can be swung in the direction of caries intervention and prevention by the active role of the dentist and his/her auxiliary staff. Much is now understood about the mechanism of dental caries. We have known for a long time that demineralization of enamel, dentin or cementum is caused by organic acids that are generated by so-called acidogenic bacteria in the plaque when these bacteria feed upon fermentable carbohydrates (Silverstone, 1973; Featherstone, 2000; Loesche, 1986). The natural repair process is remineralization, which occurs when the pH rises again and calcium and phosphate from saliva together with fluoride enter the subsurface region of the lesion and form a new veneer on the existing crystal remnants in the lesion (Ten Cate and Featherstone, 1991). This veneer is less soluble than the original mineral and resists further acid attacks. The key to improved dental health for all is now for the dental profession to embrace this knowledge and put it into practice in the real world, to inhibit caries formation and progression, and to enhance the natural repair process.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2003

Irradiation of dental enamel with Q-switched lambda = 355-nm laser pulses: surface morphology, fluoride adsorption, and adhesion to composite resin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lasers can be used to modify the chemical composition of dental enamel to increase the bond strength to restorative materials and to render the mineral phase more resistant to acid dissolution. Previous studies have suggested a synergistic relationship between CO(2) laser irradiation and fluoride treatment on increased resistance to acid dissolution. In this study a near-UV laser operating with lambda = 355-nm laser pulses of 3-5 nanoseconds duration was used to modify the surface morphology of dental enamel to increase the bond strength to restorative materials and increase the uptake of topical fluoride to render the surface more resistant to acid dissolution. We hypothesize that the short UV laser pulses are primarily absorbed by protein and lipid localized between the enamel prisms resulting in removal of intact mineral effectively etching the surface without thermal modification of the mineral phase. Such modification is likely to increase the permeability of the enamel surface and the subsequent absorption of fluoride. In addition, there is an increase in surface roughness without the formation of a layer of loosely adherent, thermally modified enamel that increases the bond strength to composite restorative materials. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surfaces of blocks of bovine enamel, 5 x 5 mm(2), were uniformly irradiated by 355-nm laser pulses and subsequently bonded to composite. The shear bond test was used to assess the bond strength of non-irradiated blocks (negative control), acid etched blocks (positive control), and laser irradiated blocks. The resistance to acid dissolution was evaluated using controlled surface dissolution experiments on irradiated samples, irradiated samples exposed to topical fluoride, and non-irradiated control samples with and without fluoride. RESULTS: The laser surface treatments significantly increased the shear-bond strength of enamel to composite, to a level exceeding 20 MPa which was significantly more than the non-irradiated control samples and significantly less than the acid etch. Laser irradiation alone and topical fluoride application alone did not significantly increase the resistance to acid dissolution. The laser treatment followed by topical application of fluoride significantly increased the resistance to acid dissolution to a level of over 50% versus the control samples. CONCLUSIONS: We present a novel method for increasing bond strength to restorative materials and enhancing fluoride delivery to enamel surfaces and shed some light on the underlying mechanisms of caries inhibition via laser treatment and topical application of fluoride.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

In vivo inhibition of demineralization around orthodontic brackets.

Demineralization around orthodontic appliances is a problem. Suboptimal oral hygiene, long intervals between appointments, and potentially poor patient cooperation with using fluoride dentifrices and mouth rinses necessitate a compliance-free means of preventing tooth decay. The hypothesis of this study was that fluoride released by glass ionomer cement inhibits the formation of carious lesions around orthodontic brackets in vivo. Brackets were bonded on 2 first premolars in 21 randomized, consecutively selected patients 11 to 18 years old. Eleven test-group subjects were bonded with fluoride-releasing glass ionomer cement, and 10 control subjects were bonded with composite resin (no fluoride). The teeth were extracted after 4 weeks, sectioned, and evaluated quantitatively by cross-sectional microhardness testing. Fluoride levels in patient saliva were measured by the Taves diffusion method in samples taken at days 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 to determine whether fluoride from the glass ionomer cement influenced the overall intraoral fluoride levels. The results demonstrated significantly more demineralization around the brackets of the control patients (P <.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). For whole-mouth salivary fluoride levels, no significant overall difference between the groups (P >.05) and no noticeable trend within groups (P >.05) were found. These results indicate that using fluoride-releasing glass ionomer cement for bonding orthodontic brackets successfully inhibited caries in vivo. This cariostatic effect was localized to the area around the brackets and was statistically significant after 4 weeks.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2002

Thermal and chemical modification of dentin by 9-11-microm CO2 laser pulses of 5-100-micros duration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that dentin can be thermally modified by pulsed CO(2) laser irradiation to form a more highly mineralized tissue. The implications are important for the potential laser modification or removal of dentinal and root caries and the transformation of dentin to a more acid resistant mineralized tissue. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Time resolved radiometry measurements with TEA CO(2) laser pulses were used to determine the magnitude of the absorption coefficients of dentin at the highly absorbed CO(2) laser wavelengths and to measure the temperature excursions during lambda = 9.3, 9.6, 10.3, and 10.6 microm laser irradiation at irradiation intensities of 0.1-8 J/cm(2) per pulse. In addition, photoacoustic and transient reflectance measurements were used to monitor the loss of water and organics and to detect the thresholds for surface modification and tissue ablation. RESULTS: The absorption coefficients were measured to be 5,000; 6,500; 1,200; and 800 cm(-1) at lambda = 9.3, 9.6, 10.3, and 10.6 microm, respectively. The surface temperatures of dentin were markedly higher than those measured on enamel for similar irradiation intensities due to the lower reflectance losses of dentin and the lower thermal diffusivity of dentin at the respective wavelengths. Hence, lower fluences are required for the thermal decomposition of dentin. Ablation typically occurred with the first few laser-pulses during multiple pulse irradiation and eventually ceased after modification of dentin to a more highly mineralized enamel-like tissue. The debris ejected during the initial laser pulses shielded the surface by as much as 60% at the low fluences employed in this study. Optical and electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy indicated that incident laser pulses with incident fluence as low as 0.5 J/cm(2) at 9.3 and 9.6 microm wavelengths with a duration of 5-8-micros were sufficient to induce chemical and morphological changes in dentin. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the laser parameters for the efficient thermal modification of dentin with minimum heat deposition at CO(2) laser wavelengths were firmly established.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed2002

Imaging caries lesions and lesion progression with polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography.

New diagnostic tools are needed for the characterization of dental caries in the early stages of development. If carious lesions are detected early enough, they can be arrested without the need for surgical intervention. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can be used for the imaging of early caries lesions and for the monitoring of lesion progression over time. High-resolution polarization resolved images were acquired of natural caries lesions and simulated caries lesions of varying severity created over time periods of 1 to 14 days. Linearly polarized light was incident on the tooth samples and the reflected intensity in both orthogonal polarizations was measured. PS-OCT was invaluable for removing the confounding influence of surface reflections and native birefringence necessary for the enhanced resolution of the surface structure of caries lesions. This study demonstrated that PS-OCT is well suited for the imaging of interproximal and occlusal caries, early root caries, and for imaging decay under composite fillings. Longitudinal measurements of the reflected light intensity in the orthogonal polarization state from the area of simulated caries lesions linearly correlated with the square root of time of demineralization indicating that PS-OCT is well suited for monitoring changes in enamel mineralization over time.

Animals↗