Optical Coherence Tomography for Dental Plaque Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental plaque evaluation methods are inadequate for objective, noninvasive, and quantitative assessment of dental plaque thickness, cross-sectional area, and volume, and lack effective methods for gingiva and alveolar bone quantification, leading to insufficient detection and treatment of dental diseases.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with near-infrared light to generate two- and three-dimensional images of dental plaque, gingiva, and alveolar bone, allowing for the extraction and quantification of dental plaque regions, and the calculation of thickness, length, cross-sectional area, and volume, along with the measurement of gingiva and alveolar bone changes over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used to evaluate dental plaque, then the evaluation process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision is insufficient and cannot provide quantitative data on plaque thickness, cross-sectional area, and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with optical coherence tomography (OCT), which uses near-infrared light to generate cross-sectional images of dental plaque. This substitution enables objective, quantitative measurement of plaque thickness, cross-sectional area, and volume without requiring complex mechanical manipulation or subjective visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the optical properties of near-infrared light to penetrate and image dental plaque structures. By changing the illumination parameter to near-infrared light and analyzing the reflected or transmitted light patterns, the system achieves quantitative measurement of plaque parameters that were previously inaccessible to visual inspection methods.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If dental plaque coloring methods are used to enhance visibility, then the boundary between dental plaque and tooth becomes clear, but the method causes strong patient discomfort and requires cumbersome removal of coloring solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical application and removal of coloring solutions with non-contact optical imaging. The OCT system uses near-infrared light to visualize dental plaque boundaries without requiring any substance to be applied to the patient's mouth, thereby eliminating patient discomfort and the cumbersome removal process while maintaining clear boundary detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces near-infrared light as an intermediary to visualize dental plaque. Instead of using physical coloring agents that directly contact the patient's tissues, the system uses optical energy as a mediator to enhance the visibility of plaque boundaries, achieving the same detection goal without the harmful effects of coloring methods.
3Reliability
If conventional dental plaque evaluation methods are used, then the evaluation process is quick and simple, but the reproducibility is poor and multiple inspection operators cannot provide consistent values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual inspection by multiple operators with an automated optical coherence tomography system. The OCT apparatus provides objective, quantifiable measurements of dental plaque that are consistent across different operators, thereby improving reliability and reproducibility while maintaining measurement efficiency through automated image acquisition and analysis.
4Loss of information
If X-ray inspection is used to detect dental diseases, then the detection capability is available, but the method cannot generate images of dental plaque and provides insufficient information for treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces X-ray inspection with optical coherence tomography using near-infrared light. This substitution enables the generation of detailed cross-sectional images of dental plaque and surrounding tissues without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation. The OCT system provides complete information about plaque thickness, cross-sectional area, and volume, which is essential for treatment planning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides objective, reproducible, and noninvasive evaluation of dental plaque and gingiva/alveolar bone, enhancing the detection and treatment of dental diseases by offering precise quantitative data and improving patient motivation for oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with near-infrared light to generate two- and three-dimensional images of dental plaque, gingiva, and alveolar bone
Implementation Method 2
The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with near-infrared light to generate two- and three-dimensional images
Implementation Method 3
producing interference light from reflected light and back-scattered light from the tooth and the reference light
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for measuring and displaying dental plaque are provided, and the method includes the steps of dividing near infrared light output from a light source into measurement light and reference light, applying the measurement light toward a tooth in an oral cavity and scanning the tooth with the measurement light, producing interference light from reflected light and back-scattered light from the tooth and the reference light, generating an optical coherence tomographic image based on a scattering intensity value of the interference light, extracting a dental plaque region having a specific scattering intensity value from the optical coherence tomographic image, and quantifying the dental plaque. A method and an apparatus for measuring and displaying gingiva and/or alveolar bone are further provided. A method and an apparatus for quantifying dental plaque, digitizing the dental plaque, and generating an image of the dental plaque in a noncontact, noninvasive manner are thereby provided.