title: Optical coherence tomography use in the diagnosis of enamel defects.
abstract: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) affects the permanent incisors and molars, whose undermineralized matrix is evidenced by lesions ranging from white to yellow/brown opacities to crumbling enamel lesions incapable of withstanding normal occlusal forces and function. Diagnosing the condition involves clinical and radiographic examination of these teeth, with known limitations in determining the depth extent of the enamel defects in particular. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging hard and soft tissue imaging technique, which was investigated as a new potential diagnostic method in dentistry. A comparison between the diagnostic potential of the conventional methods and OCT was conducted. Compared to conventional imaging methods, OCT gave more information on the structure of the enamel defects as well as the depth extent of the defects into the enamel structure. Different types of enamel defects were compared, each type presenting a unique identifiable pattern when imaged using OCT. Additionally, advanced methods of OCT image analysis including backscattered light intensity profile analysis and enface reconstruction were performed. Both methods confirmed the potential of OCT in enamel defects diagnosis. In conclusion, OCT imaging enabled the identification of the type of enamel defect and the determination of the extent of the enamel defects in MIH with the advantage of being a radiation free diagnostic technique.
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, Paediatric Department, WC1X 8LD, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Khalifa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Azri
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 308 Sussex Wing, WC1X 8LD, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucia N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Melita
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 308 Sussex Wing, WC1X 8LD, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Strange
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Tissue Engineering and Biophotonics, Floor 17, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital Campus, Great Maze Pond, London Bridge SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Festy
authors.affiliation: Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Maisoon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Jawad
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Tissue Engineering and Biophotonics, Floor 17, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital Campus, Great Maze Pond, London Bridge SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, Paediatric Department, WC1X 8LD, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parekh
authors.affiliation: University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 308 Sussex Wing, WC1X 8LD, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bozec
mesh_terms: D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology