title: Assessment of cervical demineralization induced by Streptococcus mutans using swept-source optical coherence tomography.
abstract: Exposed root surfaces due to gingival recession are subject to biofilm stagnation that can result in caries formation. Cervical enamel and dentin demineralization induced by a cariogenic biofilm was evaluated using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The cementoenamel junction (CEJ) sections of extracted human teeth were subjected to demineralization for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. A suspension of Streptococcus mutans was applied to form a cariogenic biofilm using an oral biofilm reactor. After incubation, demineralization was observed by SS-OCT. For the analysis of SS-OCT signal, the value of the area under the curve (AUC) of the signal profile was measured. Statistical analyses were performed with 95% level of confidence. Cervical demineralization was displayed as a bright zone in SS-OCT. The demineralization depth of dentin was significantly deeper than that of enamel ([Formula: see text]). Enamel near the CEJ demonstrated a significant increase of AUC over the other enamel region after the demineralization. The gaps along the dentinoenamel junction were additionally observed in SS-OCT. SS-OCT was capable of monitoring the cervical demineralization induced by a cariogenic biofilm and is considered to be a promising modality for the diagnosis of cervical demineralization.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University , Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tezuka
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University , Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan; Tsurumi University, School of Dental Medicine, Endowed Department of International Oral Health Science, 2-1-3 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi 230-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Khairul
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matin
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Medical and Dental University , Clinical Oral Science, Department of Oral Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: University of Washington School of Dentistry , Department of Restorative Dentistry, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadr
authors.affiliation: National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology , Department of Advanced Dental Research, Center of Advanced Medicine for Dental and Oral Diseases, Obu, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sumi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University , Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tagami
keywords: Streptococcus mutans; biofilm; cervical tooth; demineralization; swept-source optical coherence tomography