Experimental and numerical studies for nondestructive evaluation of human enamel using laser ultrasonic technique

Appl Opt. 2013 Oct 1;52(28):6896-905. doi: 10.1364/AO.52.006896.

Abstract

In this paper, a nondestructive laser ultrasonic technique is used to generate and detect broadband surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on human teeth with different demineralization treatment. A scanning laser line-source technique is used to generate a series of SAW signals for obtaining the dispersion spectrum through a two-dimensional fast Fourier translation method. The experimental dispersion curves of SAWs are studied for evaluating the elastic properties of the sound tooth and carious tooth. The propagation and dispersion of SAWs in human teeth are also been studied using the finite element method. Results from numerical simulation and experiment are compared and discussed, and the elastic properties of teeth with different conditions are evaluated by combining the simulation and experimental results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Dental Caries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dental Caries / pathology
  • Dental Caries / physiopathology*
  • Dental Enamel / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dental Enamel / pathology
  • Dental Enamel / physiopathology*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity