Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) has the potential to provide higher-resolution information than any other diagnostic or imaging method on the structure of resin-based composite (RBC) restorations, according to a new study (Journal of Dentistry, May 27, 2011).
Current diagnostic imaging modalities for resin-based composites do not possess sufficient resolution and cross-sectional tomographic imaging to detect defects of RBC restorations in real-time, according to researchers from Japan.
They conducted an in vivo study using SS-OCT as a new tool to evaluate defects of RBC restorations. They studied the failure of RBC restorations in 52 patients (11 male and 41 female) at the division of oral and dental surgery at the National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Japan. SS-OCT images of 132 restorations were taken to evaluate their marginal adaptation, porosity, and internal integrity.
Of all the RBC restorations, SS-OCT showed that only 19% lacked any sort of defect. In terms of marginal adaptation, 65% were defective; 27% percent had large porosity and 15% were defective based on gap formation.
