Fundamental Potential for Acoustic Microscopy Evaluation of Dental Tissues

Abstract

Comprehensive analysis of the present-day acoustic microscopy experimental approaches from the standpoint of their potentialapplication in dental research and diagnostics has been performed. Whole extracted human teeth and specially prepared dentaltissue samples have been investigated. The results of the study demonstrate that there are several experimental techniquesthat can be used for precise quantitative evaluation of the tissues local mechanical properties in flat-parallel teeth slices,for the pathomorphological investigation of the tissues strength spatial distribution in flat cuts. In the whole tooth, theacoustic microscopy techniques allow us to precisely measure the enamel and dentine layers thickness, the distance betweenthe external surface and pulp, to reveal hidden caries and restoration disbonding. These opportunities form a real groundfor the further design of the special acousto-microscopical methods and new equipment for the clinical diagnostics