Noninvasive Quantitative Evaluation of the Dentin Layer during Dental Procedures Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Figure 2

(a) Tridimensional (3-D)/volumetric OCT reconstructions of the drilled cavity, obtained in real time during the dentistry procedure—illustrating the upper wall of the pulp chamber; (b) macroscopic approach on the morphology of this tooth, obtained after sectioning the tooth after the procedure; it shows that there is still a lot of dentin left under the drilled cavity to protect the pulp chamber; (c) another example, for which the drilling already affected the pulp chamber by opening the pulp horns accidentally (the opening is proved by inserting an endodontic needle from the drilled cavity through the pulp horn towards the pulp chamber)—as shown in Figure 3(d). Notations are as follows: (1) drilled cavity on the occlusal surface of the tooth; (2) ceiling of the pulp chamber; (3) pulp horns (difficult to evaluate during a normal drilling process); (4) pulp chamber.

(a)

(b)

(c)