ナノメディシンとナノテクノロジーのジャーナル

概要

Periodontal Health Check by Nanoengineering Photoacoustic Imaging: Review

Casey Chen

The gold-standard periodontal probe is an outdated instrument that can diagnose periodontitis and track the condition of the gingiva, but it is also painful, prone to mistake, and does not completely characterise the periodontal pocket. These limitations can be overcome by a non-invasive method called photo acoustic imaging. Here, the periodontium was imaged using ultrasound frequencies between 16 and 40 MHz, and the pockets were identified using a cuttlefish ink-based contrast solution. The periodontal nano particles architecture, comprising the tooth, gum, gingival edge, and gingival thickness of teeth 7–10 and 22– 27, could be spatially resolved using a 40 MHz ultrasound frequency. The measurements made using photo-acoustic-ultrasound were more accurate (0.01 mm) than those made using physical probes by a dental hygienist. Additionally, it was possible to see the complete geometry of the pockets using 10 percent relative standard deviations (n = 5). This work demonstrates the potential for photoacoustic-ultrasound imaging in the dental clinic for non-invasive monitoring of periodontal health. Nearly 50% of Americans have periodontitis, which has both local and systemic implications on the body. These include everything from little discomfort to incapacitating pain, tooth loss, and abnormal immune system activity.