Imagistic evaluation of direct dental restoration: En face OCT versus SEM and microCT

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.