Endoscopic near-infrared dental imaging with indocyanine green: a pilot study

Authors

Zhongqiang Li, Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Shaomian Yao, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jian Xu, Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ye Wu, Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Chunhong Li, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ziying He, Division of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2018

Abstract

Current dental diagnosis, especially tooth abnormalities, relies largely on X-ray-based imaging, a technique that requires specialized skills and suffers from ionizing radiation. Here, we present a pilot study in rats of an efficient, ionizing-radiation-free and easy-to-use alternative for dental imaging. Postnatal rats at different ages were injected with indocyanine green and molars were imaged by a laboratory-designed endoscopic near-infrared (NIR) dental imaging system. The results indicate that the endoscopic NIR dental imaging can be used to observe the morphology of postnatal rat molars, especially at early postnatal stages when morphology of the molar is indistinguishable under visible conditions. A small abnormal cusp was observed and distinguished from the normal cusps by the NIR dental imaging system. Dental structures, such as unerupted molars, can be imaged as soon as 10 min after the injection of indocyanine green; imaging after 24 h shows improved imaging contrast. Overall, the endoscopic NIR fluorescence dental imaging system described here may be useful in dental research; this technique may serve as a safe, real-time imaging tool for dental diagnosis and treatment beyond experimental systems in the future.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

First Page

88

Last Page

96

Recommended Citation

Li, Z., Yao, S., Xu, J., Wu, Y., Li, C., & He, Z. (2018). Endoscopic near-infrared dental imaging with indocyanine green: a pilot study. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1421 (1), 88-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13674