title: Development of fibre-optic confocal microscopy for detection and diagnosis of dental caries.
abstract: We report on the development of a fibre-optics-based confocal imaging system for the detection and potential diagnosis of early dental caries. A novel optical instrument, capable of recording axial profiles through caries lesions using single-mode optical fibres, has been developed. The practical study illustrates that miniature confocal devices based around single-mode optical fibres may provide additional diagnostic information for the general dental practitioner.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poland
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Girkin
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Whitters
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000139:chemically induced