Evaluating a novel fissure caries model using swept source optical coherence tomography

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) imaging in assessing a novel fissure caries model. Samples were imaged by both near infrared based SS-OCT and high resolution x-ray tomography imaging to non-destructively quantify artificial lesions. The mean relative reflectivities of the demineralized fissures were at least 6 times higher than the corresponding sound fissures (p<0.02). Importantly, this study demonstrated that SS-OCT reflectivity images can be used to predict the depth of fissure demineralization. Despite correctly evaluating the depth, this work showed that the lesion width calculated from SS-OCT reflectivity images did not accurately predict the demineralized width. The relative reflectivity could not accurately determine the mineral density of the demineralized lesions. SS-OCT detected subsurface fissure demineralization and could be used to determine if the decay process was advancing toward the enamel-dentin junction.