Abstract

The early and reliable detection of tooth decay is very important in the modem dental practice. Sufficiently early detection of decay will enhance the potential for healing through the use of fluoride and a reduction in sugar intake; thereby reducing the need for use of a dental drill for cavity preparation. A range of optical techniques has been used to investigate the problem and it is known that the decayed tooth has different scattering and fluorescence properties from undamaged tissue. A number of centres around the world have investigated diagnostic systems using laser light at 488nm to excite the naturally occurring fluorophores as an aid to detection. The images from teeth have then been recorded using CCD cameras with some success.¹ However, these techniques provide only a record of the surface area of the decay and some semi-quantative data relating to mineral loss. Information regarding the change in mineral distribution with depth is lacking. Such information may be crucial to the clinical management of early decay. In recent years the new technique of multi photon microscopic imaging has started to gain general acceptance in the biomedical arena. We have modified this technique and for the first time investigated the production of images from entire tissue samples including teeth.

© 1998 IEEE