Imaging of human tooth enamel using ultrasound

IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2003 Apr;22(4):526-9. doi: 10.1109/TMI.2003.809141.

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a complete circumferential scan of a human tooth and its underlying dentino-enamel junction using ultrasound at frequencies in the 10-MHz range. The imagery shows clearly a two-dimensional contour of the dentinoenamel junction with a depth and lateral resolution of approximately 100 microm and 750 microm, respectively. The resulting sonograph is compared with an optical micrograph of the same tooth to verify the accuracy of the ultrasonic technique. The results are a significant step toward the biolocation of submillimeter size features within the tooth volume.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Dental Enamel / cytology
  • Dental Enamel / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dentin / cytology
  • Dentin / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Molar, Third / cytology
  • Molar, Third / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography / methods*