Technological improvements and the progress of new adhesive materials have led to the development of minimally
invasive restorations, like overlays; these are also indicated in the treatment of pathological tooth wear caused by
bruxism. In this study we evaluated the marginal adaptation of Tizian overlays through two non-invasive methods:
digital microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. 12 maxillary first premolars were extracted and prepared for
overlays. The Tizian overlays were cemented with Variolonk II (Ivoclar Vivadent). The marginal adaptation of each
specimen was analyzed, on all four surfaces, with a digital microscope at 40x to 800x magnification ratio; we also used
a confocal laser scanning microscope, at 10x magnification, in Z mode, with 10 μm slices and a resolution of 1020 x
1024. The exposure time per pixel was 8 μs and the wavelength of the laser was set at 405 nm, corresponding to a blue
light laser. We concluded that confocal laser scanning microscopy, with its a higher horizontal and vertical resolution
with regard to digital microscopy, and with its volumetric reconstructions capability of the sample image, is therefore a
more appropriate method for this particular dental field, i.e., to investigate the marginal adaptation of Tizian overlays.
"Table tops"/occlusal veneers are partial crowns that allow for the biomimetic restoration of worn teeth in bruxing
patients. The biomimetic approach includes a CAD/CAM composite resin for the manufacturing of the "table tops", for
example Tizian, which is a zirconia reinforced composite (Schutz Dental Group). In the present study we prove the value
of a fast swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system in the evaluation of the marginal fit of Tizian
"table tops". 12 maxillary first premolars were extracted and minimally invasive prepared for "table tops". The Tizian
"table tops" were then adhesively cemented on the natural teeth with Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent). A SS-OCT system
has been used to evaluate the marginal and internal adaptation of Tizian "table tops". The SS (Axsun Technologies,
Billerica, MA) has a central wavelength of 1060 nm, a sweeping range 106 nm (quoted at 10 dB), and a 100 kHz line
rate. The depth resolution of the system, measured experimentally in air was 10 μm. The same samples were analyzed by
using a micro-computed tomography (μCT) system, in order cu confirm the data obtained by using OCT. The imaging
system used for this study offers good spatial resolutions in both directions, transversal and longitudinal, of around 10
μm, a high sensitivity, and it is also able to acquire entire 3D volumes as fast as 2.5 s. Once the full dataset has been
acquired, rendered high resolutions en-face projections could be produced. With it, the "table top" – cement – abutment
tooth interfaces were observed on both C-scans as 2D images and also in the 3D reconstructions; the system was able to
detect several open interfaces, which were confirmed on the μCT images. The SS-OCT system allows for an efficient
evaluation of biomimetic Tizian "table tops".
Erosion is the progressive loss of tooth substance by chemical processes that do not involve bacterial action. The affected teeth can be restored by using IPS e.max Press “table tops”, which replace the occlusal surfaces. In this study we applied a fast in-house Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS OCT) system to analyze IPS e.max Press “table tops”. 12 maxillary first premolars have been extracted and prepared for “table tops”. These restorations were subjected to 3000 alternating cycles of thermo-cycling in a range from -10°C to +50°C; mechanical occlusal loads of 200 N were also applied. Using SS OCT we analyze the marginal seal of these restorations, before and after applying the mechanical and thermal strain. The characteristics of the SS OCT system utilized are presented. Its depth resolution, measured in air is 10 μm. The system is able to acquire entire volumetric reconstructions in 2.5 s. From the dataset acquired high resolution en-face projections were also produced. Thus, the interfaces between all ceramic “table tops” and natural teeth were analyzed on the cross-sections (i.e., the B-scans) produced and also on the volumetric (tri-dimensional (3D)) reconstructions, several open interfaces being detected. The study therefore demonstrates the utility of SS OCT for the analysis of lithium disilicate glass ceramic “table tops”.
The teeth affected by pathologic attrition can be restored by a minimally invasive approach, using Tizian overlays. In this study we prove the advantages of a fast swept source (SS) OCT system in the evaluation of Tizian overlays placed in an environment characterized by high occlusal forces. 12 maxillary first premolars were extracted and prepared for overlays. The Tizian overlays were subjected to 3000 alternating cycles of thermo-cycling (from -10°C to +50°C) and to mechanical occlusal overloads (at 800 N). A fast SS OCT system was used to evaluate the Tizian overlays before and after the mechanical and thermal straining. The SS (Axsun Technologies, Billerica, MA) has a central wavelength of 1060 nm, sweeping range of 106 nm (quoted at 10 dB) and a 100 kHz line rate. The depth resolution of the system, measured experimentally in air was 10 μm. The imaging system used for this study offers high spatial resolutions in both directions, transversal and longitudinal of around 10 μm, a high sensitivity, and it is also able to acquire entire tridimensional (3D)/volume reconstructions as fast as 2.5 s. Once the full dataset was acquired, rendered high resolutions en-face projections could be produced. Using them, the overlay (i.e., cement) abutment tooth interfaces were remarked both on B-scans/two-dimensional (2D) sections and in the 3D reconstructions. Using the system several open interfaces were possible to detect. The fast SS OCT system thus proves useful in the evaluation of zirconia reinforced composite overlays, placed in an environment characterized by high occlusal forces.
We present our efforts in establishing a Research Pole in Photonics in the future Arad-Timisoara metropolitan area projected to unite two major cities of Western Romania. Research objectives and related training activities of various institutions and groups that are involved are presented in their evolution during the last decade. The multi-disciplinary consortium consists principally of two universities, UAVA (Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad) and UMF (Victor Babes Medicine and Pharmacy University of Timisoara), but also of the Arad County Emergency University Hospital and several innovative SMEs, such as Bioclinica S.A. (the largest array of medical analysis labs in the region) and Inteliform S.R.L. (a competitive SME focused on mechatronics and mechanical engineering). A brief survey of the individual and joint projects of these institutions is presented, together with their teaching activities at graduate and undergraduate level. The research Pole collaborates in R&D, training and education in biomedical imaging with universities in USA and Europe. Collaborative activities, mainly on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) projects are presented in a multidisciplinary approach that includes optomechatronics, precision mechanics and optics, dentistry, medicine, and biology.
In this paper we demonstrate that fast spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging systems have the potential to monitor the evolution of pathological dental wear. On 10 caries free teeth, four levels of artificially defects similar to those observed in the clinic were created. After every level of induced defect, OCT scanning was performed. B-scans were acquired and 3D reconstructions were generated.
The problematic elements of bone regenerative materials are represented by their quality control methods. The defects repaired by bone grafting material were evaluated by en face optical coherence tomography and by synchrotron radiation micro-CT. The images obtained by efOCT show defects in some of the investigated samples, at the bone interface with different osteoconductive bone substitutes and we were able to detect gaps as small as 50 μm. After the common synchrotron radiation micro-CT investigations, the slides were reconstructed and the 3D model was obtained. Along with the possibility of navigating inside the structure, one big advantage of this technique was pointed out: the remaining regenerative materials can be separated from the normal bone and the new bone can be visualized. Optical coherence tomography can be performed in vivo and can provide a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the bone augmentation procedure.
Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) are defined as the loss of tooth substance at the cemento-enamel junction and are caused by abrasion, erosion and/or occlusal overload. In this paper we proved that our fast swept source OCT system is a valuable tool to track the evolution of NCCL lesions in time. On several extracted bicuspids, four levels of NCCL were artificially created. After every level of induced lesion, OCT scanning was performed. B scans were acquired and 3D reconstructions were generated. The swept source OCT instrument used in this study has a central wavelength of 1050 nm, a sweeping range of 106 nm (measured at 10 dB), an average output power of 16 mW and a sweeping rate of 100 kHz. A depth resolution determined by the swept source of 12 μm in air was experimentally obtained. NCCL were measured on the B-scans as 2D images and 3D reconstructions (volumes). For quantitative evaluations of volumes, the Image J software was used. By calculating the areas of the amount of lost tissue corresponding to each difference of Bscans, the final volumes of NCCL were obtained. This swept source OCT method allows the dynamic diagnosis of NCCL in time.
Occlusal disorders are characterized by multiple dental and periodontal signs. Some of these are reversible (such as excessive tooth mobility, fremitus, tooth pain, migration of teeth in the absence of periodontitis), some are not (pathological occlusal/incisal wear, abfractions, enamel cracks, tooth fractures, gingival recessions). In this paper we prove the advantages of a fast swept source OCT system in the diagnosis of pathological incisal wear, a key sign of the occlusal disorders. On 15 extracted frontal teeth four levels of pathological incisal wear facets were artificially created. After every level of induced defect, OCT scanning was performed. B scans were acquired and 3D reconstructions were generated. A swept source OCT instrument is used in this study. The swept source is has a central wavelength of 1050 nm and a sweeping rate of 100 kHz. A depth resolution determined by the swept source of 12 μm in air was experimentally measured. The pathological incisal wear is qualitatively observed on the B-scans as 2D images and 3D reconstructions (volumes). For quantitative evaluations of volumes, we used the Image J software. Our swept source OCT system has several advantages, including the ability to measure (in air) a minimal volume of 2352 μm3 and to collect high resolution volumetric images in 2.5 s. By calculating the areas of the amount of lost tissue corresponding to each difference of B-scans, the final volumes of incisal wear were obtained. This swept source OCT method is very useful for the dynamic evaluation of pathological incisal wear.
Metal-Polymeric fixed partial prosthesis is the usual prosthetic treatment for many dental patients. However, during the mastication the polymeric component of the prosthesis is fractured and will be lost. This fracture is caused by the material defects or by the fracture lines trapped inside the esthetic components of the prosthesis. This will finally lead to the failure of the prosthetic treatment. Nowadays, there is no method of identification and forecast for the materials defects of the polymeric materials. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the capability of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as a non-invasive clinical method that can be used for the evaluation of metal-polymeric fixed partial prostheses. Twenty metal-polymeric fixed partial prostheses were used for this study. The esthetic component of the prostheses has been Adoro (Ivoclar). Optical investigations of the metal prostheses have revealed no material defects or fracture lines. All the prostheses were temporary cemented in the oral cavities of the patients for six month. The non-invasive method used for the investigations was OCT working in Time Domain mode at 1300 nm. The evaluations of the prostheses were performed before and after their cementation in the patient mouths. All the imagistic results were performed in 2D and than in 3D, after the reconstruction. The results obtained after the OCT evaluation allowed for the identification of 4 metal-polymeric fixed partial prostheses with material defects immediately after finishing the technological procedures. After 6 month in the oral environment other 3 fixed partial prostheses revealed fracture lines. In conclusion, OCT proved to be a valuable tool for the noninvasive evaluation of the metal-polymeric fixed partial prostheses.
A fast swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system is employed to acquire volumes of dental tissue, in order to monitor the temporal evolution of dental wear. An imaging method is developed to evaluate the volume of tissue lost in ex vivo artificially induced abfractions and attritions. The minimal volume (measured in air) that our system could measure is 2352 μm 3 . A volume of 25,000 A-scans is collected in 2.5 s. All these recommend the SS-OCT method as a valuable tool for dynamic evaluation of the abfraction and attrition with remarkable potential for clinical use.
Bone grafting is a commonly performed surgical procedure to augment bone regeneration in a variety of orthopaedic and maxillofacial procedures, with autologous bone being considered as the "gold standard" bone-grafting material, as it combines all properties required in a bone-graft material: osteoinduction (bone morphogenetic proteins – BMPs - and other growth factors), osteogenesis (osteoprogenitor cells) and osteoconduction (scaffold). The problematic elements of bone regenerative materials are represented by their quality control methods, the adjustment of the initial bone regenerative material, the monitoring (noninvasive, if possible) during their osteoconduction and osteointegration period and biomedical evaluation of the new regenerated bone. One of the research directions was the interface investigation of the regenerative bone materials and their behavior at different time periods on the normal femoral rat bone. 12 rat femurs were used for this investigation. In each ones a 1 mm diameter hole were drilled and a bone grafting material was inserted in the artificial defect. The femurs were removed after one, three and six months. The defects repaired by bone grafting material were evaluated by optical coherence tomography working in Time Domain Mode at 1300 nm. Three dimensional reconstructions of the interfaces were generated. The validations of the results were evaluated by microCT. Synchrotron Radiation allows achieving high spatial resolution images to be generated with high signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, Synchrotron Radiation allows acquisition of volumes at different energies and volume subtraction to enhance contrast. Evaluation of the bone grafting material/bone interface with noninvasive methods such as optical coherence tomography could act as a valuable procedure that can be use in the future in the usual clinical techniques. The results were confirmed by microCT. Optical coherence tomography can be performed in vivo and can provide a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the bone augmentation procedure.
Dental prosthetic restorations have to satisfy high stress as well as aesthetic requirements. In order to avoid deficiencies
of dental prostheses, several alternative systems and procedures were imagined, directly related to the material used and
also to the manufacturing technology. Increasing the biomechanical comportment of polymeric materials implies fiber
reinforcing. The different fibers reinforcing products made very difficult the evaluation of their performances and
biomechanical properties analysis.
There are several known methods which are used to assess the quality of dental prostheses, but most are invasive. These
lead to the destruction of the samples and often no conclusion could be drawn in the investigated areas of interest. Using
a time domain en-face OCT system, we have recently demonstrated real time thorough evaluation of quality of various
dental treatments.
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of various polymeric materials used in dental technology and to validate
the en face OCT imagistic evaluation of polymeric dental prostheses by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
microcomputer tomography (μCT).
SEM investigations evidenced the nonlinear aspect of the interface between the polymeric material and the fiber
reinforcement and materials defects in some samples. The results obtained by microCT revealed also some defects inside
the polymeric materials and at the interfaces with the fiber reinforcement.
The advantages of the OCT method consist in non-invasiveness and high resolution. In addition, en face OCT
investigations permit visualization of the more complex stratified structure at the interface between the polymeric
material and the fiber reinforcement.
Dental onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. They can also be
used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown. The use
of onlays requires less tooth reduction than does the use of metal fillings. This allows dentists to conserve more of a
patient's natural tooth structure in the treatment process.
The aims of this study are to evaluate the biomechanical comportment of the dental onlays, by using the 3D photo
elasticity method and to investigate the integrity of the structures and their fitting to the dental support. For this optical
coherence tomography and micro-computed tomography were employed. Both methods were used to investigate 37
dental onlays, 17 integral polymeric and 20 integral ceramic.
The results permit to observe materials defects inside the ceramic or polymeric onlays situate in the biomechanically
tensioned areas that could lead to fracture of the prosthetic structure. Marginal fitting problems of the onlays related to
the teeth preparations were presented in order to observe the possibility of secondary cavities. The resulted images from
the optical coherence tomography were verified by the micro-computed tomography.
In conclusion, the optical coherence tomography can be used as a clinical method in order to evaluate the integrity of the
dental ceramic and polymeric onlays and to investigate the quality of the marginal fitting to the teeth preparations.
Early diagnosis of occlusal overload is an important issue in dental medicine. The high occlusal forces can cause
irreversible damage to the dental hard tissues. Our study proposes the early microstructural characterization of occlusal
overloaded bicuspids, with abnormal crown morphology, by en face optical coherence tomography (eFOCT). The dental
samples were investigated using an eFOCT system operating at 1300 nm in B-scan and C-scan mode. The eFOCT
images obtained from these teeth visualized cracks, which didn't reach the tooth surface. The μCT and histological
images confirmed the microstructural defects identified on eFOCT images. In conclusion, eFOCT is a promising
imaging method for the early diagnosis of occlusal overload on bicuspids with normal crown morphology and for the
prophylaxis of dental wear.
There are several methods known which are used to assess the quality of direct dental restorations, but most of them are
invasive. These lead to the destruction of the probes and often no conclusion could be drawn in respect to the existence
of any microleakage in the investigated areas of interest.
Optical tomographic techniques are of particular importance in the medical imaging field, because these techniques can
provide non-invasive diagnostic images. Using an en-face version of OCT, we have recently demonstrated real time
thorough evaluation of quality of dental fillings.
The purpose of this in vitro study was to validate the en face OCT imagistic evaluation of direct dental restoration by
using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microcomputer tomography (μCT). Teeth after several treatment
methods are imaged in order to detect material defects and to asses the marginal adaptation at the dental hard tissue
walls.
SEM investigations evidenced the nonlinear aspect of the interface between the filling material and the buccal and
lingual walls in some samples.
The results obtained by μCT revealed also some material defects inside the fillings and at the interfaces with the rootcanal
walls.
The advantages of the OCT method consist in non-invasiveness and high resolution. En face OCT investigations permit
to visualize a more complex stratificated structure at the interface filling material/dental hard tissue and in the apical
region.
Aim and objectives. Abfraction is the pathological loss of cervical hard tooth substance caused by biomechanical
overload. High horizontal occlusal forces result in large stress concentrations in the cervical region of the teeth. These
stresses may be high enough to cause microfractures in the dental hard tissues, eventually resulting in the loss of cervical
enamel and dentin. The present study proposes the microstructural characterization of these cervical lesions by en face
optical coherence tomography (eFOCT).
Material and methods: 31 extracted bicuspids were investigated using eFOCT. 24 teeth derived from patients with
active bruxism and occlusal interferences; they presented deep buccal abfractions and variable degrees of occlusal
pathological attrition. The other 7 bicuspids were not exposed to occlusal overload and had a normal morphology of the
dental crowns.
The dental samples were investigated using an eFOCT system operating at 1300 nm (B-scan at 1 Hz and C-scan mode at
2 Hz). The system has a lateral resolution better than 5 μm and a depth resolution of 9 μm in tissue. OCT images were
further compared with micro - computer tomography images.
Results. The eFOCT investigation of bicuspids with a normal morphology revealed a homogeneous structure of the
buccal cervical enamel. The C-scan and B-scan images obtained from the occlusal overloaded bicuspids visualized the
wedge-shaped loss of cervical enamel and damage in the microstructure of the underlaying dentin. The high occlusal
forces produced a characteristic pattern of large cracks, which reached the tooth surface.
Conclusions: eFOCT is a promising imaging method for dental abfractions and it may offer some insight on the
etiological mechanism of these noncarious cervical lesions.
Aim and objectives. The morphology and position of the temporo-mandibular disc are key issues in the diagnosis and
treatment of arthrogenous temporo-mandibular disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy are used today to
identify: flattening of the pars posterior of the disc, perforation and/or adhesions in the pars intermedia of the disc and disc
displacements. The present study proposes the investigation of the temporo-mandibular joint disc by optical coherence
tomography (OCT).
Material and methods. 8 human temporo-mandibular joint discs were harvested from dead subjects, under 40 year of age,
and conserved in formalin. They had a normal morphology, with a thicker pars posterior (2,6 mm on the average) and a
thinner pars intermedia (1mm on the average). We investigated the disc samples using two different OCT systems: an
en-face OCT (time domain (TD)-OCT) system, working at 1300 nm (C-scan and B-scan mode) and a spectral OCT system
(a Fourier domain (FD)-OCT) system , working at 840 nm (B-scan mode).
Results. The OCT investigation of the temporo-mandibular joint discs revealed a homogeneous microstructure. The longer
wavelength of the TD-OCT offers a higher penetration depth (2,5 mm in air), which is important for the analysis of the pars
posterior, while the FD-OCT is much faster.
Conclusions: OCT is a promising imaging method for the microstructural characterization of the temporo-mandibular
disc.
The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of marginal adaptation and gap width of Empress veneers using
en-face optical coherence tomography. The results prove the necessity of investigating the marginal adaptation after each
veneer bonding process.
The aim of this study is the early detection and monitoring of occlusal overload in bruxing patients. En-Face Optical
coherence tomography (eF-OCT) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) were used for the imaging of several anterior teeth
extracted from patients with light active bruxism. We found a characteristic pattern of enamel cracks, that reached the
tooth surface. We concluded that the combination of the en-Face OCT and FM is a promising non-invasive alternative
technique for reliable monitoring of occlusal overload.
Excessive dental wear (pathological attrition and/or abfractions) is a frequent complication in bruxing patients. The parafunction causes heavy occlusal loads. The aim of this study is the early detection and monitoring of occlusal overload in bruxing patients. En-face optical coherence tomography was used for investigating and imaging of several extracted tooth, with a normal morphology, derived from patients with active bruxism and from subjects without parafunction. We found a characteristic pattern of enamel cracks in patients with first degree bruxism and with a normal tooth morphology. We conclude that the en-face optical coherence tomography is a promising non-invasive alternative technique for the early detection of occlusal overload, before it becomes clinically evident as tooth wear.
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