Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the optimal combinations of wavelengths for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) multispectral transillumination and reflectance imaging of caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces. <b>Methods:</b&...

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Main Authors: Daniel Fried, Yihua Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1034
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author Daniel Fried
Yihua Zhu
author_facet Daniel Fried
Yihua Zhu
author_sort Daniel Fried
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the optimal combinations of wavelengths for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) multispectral transillumination and reflectance imaging of caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces. <b>Methods:</b> The contrasts of (<i>n</i> = 76) caries lesions on the occlusal and proximal surfaces of extracted teeth were measured at 1050, 1300, and 1550 nm for occlusal transillumination and 1058, 1300, 1450, and 1675 nm for occlusal reflectance. All teeth were also imaged using radiography and microcomputed tomography (μCT) to verify lesion presence. A custom-fabricated handheld imaging probe suitable for clinical use and for the simultaneous acquisition of SWIR occlusal transillumination and reflectance (SWIR-OTR) images was used. Three high-power superluminescent diode lasers were used for transillumination, and a fiber-optic switch was used to switch between the transillumination wavelengths. Optical bandpass filters coupled with a tungsten halogen lamp were used for reflectance. All images were acquired at the same position and with the same field of view for comparison. <b>Results:</b> The highest contrasts in reflection were at 1450 and 1675 nm for occlusal and interproximal lesions, and the highest contrasts for transillumination were at 1050 and 1300 nm. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study suggests that the best wavelengths for SWIR-OTR are between 1000 and 1300 nm for transillumination and greater than 1400 nm for reflectance. Wavelengths beyond 1400 nm are advantageous for reflectance and yield significantly higher contrast. Wavelengths beyond 1300 nm are not promising for occlusal transillumination since internal water absorption leads to contrast inversion.
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spelling doaj-art-95af4123f1194572beeb42317c5d2c442025-08-20T03:13:54ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01158103410.3390/diagnostics15081034Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries DetectionDaniel Fried0Yihua Zhu1Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 707 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USADepartment of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 707 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the optimal combinations of wavelengths for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) multispectral transillumination and reflectance imaging of caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces. <b>Methods:</b> The contrasts of (<i>n</i> = 76) caries lesions on the occlusal and proximal surfaces of extracted teeth were measured at 1050, 1300, and 1550 nm for occlusal transillumination and 1058, 1300, 1450, and 1675 nm for occlusal reflectance. All teeth were also imaged using radiography and microcomputed tomography (μCT) to verify lesion presence. A custom-fabricated handheld imaging probe suitable for clinical use and for the simultaneous acquisition of SWIR occlusal transillumination and reflectance (SWIR-OTR) images was used. Three high-power superluminescent diode lasers were used for transillumination, and a fiber-optic switch was used to switch between the transillumination wavelengths. Optical bandpass filters coupled with a tungsten halogen lamp were used for reflectance. All images were acquired at the same position and with the same field of view for comparison. <b>Results:</b> The highest contrasts in reflection were at 1450 and 1675 nm for occlusal and interproximal lesions, and the highest contrasts for transillumination were at 1050 and 1300 nm. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study suggests that the best wavelengths for SWIR-OTR are between 1000 and 1300 nm for transillumination and greater than 1400 nm for reflectance. Wavelengths beyond 1400 nm are advantageous for reflectance and yield significantly higher contrast. Wavelengths beyond 1300 nm are not promising for occlusal transillumination since internal water absorption leads to contrast inversion.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1034SWIR imagingdental cariesreflectance imagingtransillumination
spellingShingle Daniel Fried
Yihua Zhu
Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
Diagnostics
SWIR imaging
dental caries
reflectance imaging
transillumination
title Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
title_full Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
title_fullStr Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
title_full_unstemmed Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
title_short Optimal Wavelengths for Multispectral Short Wavelength Infrared Transillumination and Reflectance Imaging for Caries Detection
title_sort optimal wavelengths for multispectral short wavelength infrared transillumination and reflectance imaging for caries detection
topic SWIR imaging
dental caries
reflectance imaging
transillumination
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1034
work_keys_str_mv AT danielfried optimalwavelengthsformultispectralshortwavelengthinfraredtransilluminationandreflectanceimagingforcariesdetection
AT yihuazhu optimalwavelengthsformultispectralshortwavelengthinfraredtransilluminationandreflectanceimagingforcariesdetection