https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2008-00485-5
Dental biothermophotonics: A quantitative photothermal analysis of early dental demineralization
1
Center for Advanced Diffusion Wave Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2
Four Cell Consulting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
Photothermal Radiometry (PTR) is applied as a safe, non-destructive, and highly sensitive tool for the detection of early enamel demineralization. Teeth were treated sequentially with artificial demineralization to simulate controlled mineral loss. PTR frequency scans were performed at the same surface spot before and after each treatment. After 4 days of demineralization, the signal changed significantly compared to sound enamel scans. A coupled diffuse-photon-density-wave and thermal-wave theoretical model was developed to describe the biothermophotonic phenomena in the turbid medium consisting of a demineralised layer, sound enamel, and dentin. As a result of the fittings, thermal and optical properties of the layers were obtained.
© EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag, 2008
