Enamel loss by prophylaxis and etching treatment in human tooth analyzed using optical coherence tomography- An in vitro study

Use of braces plays a major role during orthodontic treatment procedures. In clinical orthodontic procedures placement of braces is usually followed after essential treatment to the tooth surface. Treatment on the tooth surface like enamel etching, and prophylaxis smoothing with pumice results in considerable damages to the enamel surface of the tooth. In this study, we have proposed optical coherence tomography as a noninvasive imaging technique for the evaluation of damage induced during such treatment procedures. Using depth intensity analysis of the obtained cross-sectional images, damage resulting to the enamel surface was studied after prophylaxis smoothening and etching steps.