Background: Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, is a new diagnostic imaging technique that has many potential dental applications. The authors present the first intraoral dental images made using this technology.
Methods: The authors constructed a prototype dental OCT system. This system creates cross-sectional images by quantifying the reflections of infrared light from dental structures interferometrically.
Results: We used our prototype system to make dental OTC images of healthy adults in a clinical setting. These OCT images depicted both hard and soft oral tissues at high resolution.
Conclusions: OCT images exhibit microstructural detail that cannot be obtained with current imaging modalities. Using this new technology, visual recordings of periodontal tissue contour, secular depth and connective tissue attachment now are possible. The internal aspects and marginal adaptation of porcelain and composite restorations can be visualized.
Clinical implications: There are several advantages of OCT compared with conventional dental imaging. This new imaging technology is safe, versatile, inexpensive and readily adapted to a clinical dental environment.