Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in Dentistry

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767). This special issue belongs to the section "Digital Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 346

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Surgical Sciences, CIR Dental School, University of Turin, 1023 Turin, Italy
Interests: oral diseases; oral pathology; oral medicine; oral and maxillofacial pathology; dental medicine; stomatology; bone pathology; salivation; preventive dentistry; laser in dentistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, lasers and digital dentistry have seen remarkable progress in recent years, using high-tech devices in research with a strong clinical impact. In this context, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is among the most innovative in the field. This Special Issue aims to provide a specialized overview of the latest trends in clinical and laboratory research on the use of OCT in the diagnosis and monitoring of oral hard and soft tissue diseases. The integration of this technology into the dentistry team can revolutionize dental care by improving non-invasive and operator-friendly diagnostic performance. I invite you to contribute your valuable research to this Special Issue.

Dr. Alessio Gambino
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • optical choerence tomography
  • laser in dentistry
  • oral pathology
  • digital dentistry
  • oral medicine
  • oral hystopathology
  • biophotonics
  • photomedicine
  • photodentistry
  • laser surgery
  • optical diagnostics
  • photointeraction—tissue
  • light applications and interactions with oral tissues
  • laser and prevention
  • laser and conservative medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

22 pages, 2974 KiB  
Review
Impact of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for Periodontitis Diagnostics: Current Overview and Advances
by Pietro Rigotti, Alessandro Polizzi, Anna Elisa Verzì, Francesco Lacarrubba, Giuseppe Micali and Gaetano Isola
Dent. J. 2025, 13(7), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13070305 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 154
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides high-resolution, real-time visualization of soft and hard periodontal tissues. It offers micrometer-level resolution (typically ~10–15 μm) and a scan depth ranging from approximately 0.5 to 2 mm, depending on tissue type and [...] Read more.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides high-resolution, real-time visualization of soft and hard periodontal tissues. It offers micrometer-level resolution (typically ~10–15 μm) and a scan depth ranging from approximately 0.5 to 2 mm, depending on tissue type and system configuration. The field of view generally spans a few millimeters, which is sufficient for imaging gingiva, sulcus, and superficial bone contours. Over the past two decades, its application in periodontology has gained increasing attention due to its ability to detect structural changes in gingival and alveolar tissues without the need for ionizing radiation. Various OCT modalities, including time-domain, Fourier-domain, and swept-source OCT, have been explored for periodontal assessment, offering valuable insights into tissue morphology, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. Recent innovations include the development of three-dimensional (3D) OCT imaging and OCT angiography (OCTA), enabling the volumetric visualization of periodontal structures and microvascular patterns in vivo. Compared to conventional imaging techniques, such as radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), OCT offers superior soft tissue contrast and the potential for dynamic in vivo monitoring of periodontal conditions. Recent advancements, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the development of portable OCT systems, have further expanded its diagnostic capabilities. However, challenges, such as limited penetration depth, high costs, and the need for standardized clinical protocols, must be addressed before widespread clinical implementation. This narrative review provides an updated overview of the principles, applications, and technological advancements of OCT in periodontology. The current limitations and future perspectives of this technology are also discussed, with a focus on its potential role in improving periodontal diagnostics and personalized treatment approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in Dentistry)
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