• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.283-296
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• 2023

An intraoral spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system has been developed, using a custom-built hand-held scanner and spectrometer. The hand-held OCT probe, based on a microelectromechanical systems scanner and a self-built miniaturized drive circuit, had a field of view sufficient for dental diagnosis. The spectrometer using a fabricated f-theta lens provided the image depth required for dental diagnosis. The axial and transverse resolutions of the OCT system in air were 7.5 ㎛ and 12 ㎛ respectively. The hand-held probe could scan an area of 10 × 10 mm², and the spectrometer could image along a depth of 2.5 mm. To verify the utility of the developed OCT system, OCT images of tooth hard and soft tissues were acquired, and a user-interface program for diagnosis was developed. Early caries and microcracks that were difficult to diagnose with existing methods could be found, and the state of restoration could be observed. Measuring the depth of the gingival sulcus, distinguishing subgingival calculus, and detecting an implant under the gingiva suggested the possibility of the SD-OCT system as a diagnostic for dental soft tissues. Through the presented OCT images, the capability of the developed SD-OCT system for dental diagnosis was demonstrated.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.169-179
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to develop the system which convert the optical difference of teeth texture between intact enamel and incipient caries lesion into shade difference by laser fluorescence and to develop new and simple caries activity test using laser fluorescence. The experimental design of this study consists of three parts. In first part, a new method for the in vitro assessment of changes in initial enamel caries lesion of Bovine teeth using laser fluorescence is tested. In second part, in vivo assessment undertaken. Number of teeth which showed incipient carious lesion on buccal surface examined by laser fluorescence was compared with the caries activity test of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test and other oral environmental test of dDfFtT. In third part, new caries activity test measured by laser fluorescence was developed on the basis of above results and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic power. Optical density measured by laser fluorescence was increased as increasing the depth of incipient carious lesion and showed high correlation$(\gamma=0.7015)$ with lesion depth. Optical density showed direct proportion to lesion depth. Linear equation was obtained between the optical density and the lesion depth by regression analysis. The result of caries activity test with laser fluorescence showed high correlation with those of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test and dDfFtT examination. Caries activity test with laser fluorescence showed 48% of sensitivity, 52% of specificity, and 45% of diagnostic power on the basis of dDfFtT examination, and also showed 48% of sensitivity, 51% of specificity, and 36% of diagnostic power on the basis of $Cariescreen^{(R)}$ test. In regard above result, caries activity test with laser fluorescence considered to be reliable for caries activity test compared with other oral environmental test. and it was also considered to be practical because it would be simple, inexpensive, and time saving method.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2011

Caries remains prevalent throughout modern society and is the main disease in the field of dentistry. Although studies of this disease have used diverse methodology, recently, X-ray microtomography has gained popularity as a non-destructive, 3-dimensional (3D) analytical technique, and has several advantages over the conventional methods. According to X-ray source, it is classified as monochromatic or polychromatic with the latter being more widely used due to the high cost of the monochromatic source despite some advantages. The determination of mineral density profiles based on changes in X-ray attenuation is the principle of this method and calibration and image processing procedures are needed for the better image and reproducible measurements. Using this tool, 3D reconstruction is also possible and it enables to visualize the internal structures of dental caries. With the advances in the computer technology, more diverse applications are being studied, such automated caries assessment algorithms.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.236-246
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• 2004

Artificial carious lesions in various depths were observed with visual examination using light transillumination, bite-wing radiography, laser fluorescence, and dye-enhanced laser fluorescence to determine the reproducibility, correlation of each diagnostic method, diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. And optical densities according to demineralized times were measured whether laser fluorescence could be used as a quantitative diagnostic method. The following results were obtained whether laser fluorescence could be used for diagnosis of initial proximal caries. 1. Tau-c values of visual examination was 0.08 which showed lowest reproducibility and those of bite-wing radiography, laser fluorescence, dye-enhanced laser fluorescence were 0.60, 0.48, and 0.64, respectively which showed relatively high reproducibility. 2. The correlation between demineralization time and each examination was the highest in dye-enhanced laser fluorescence$({\gamma}=0.51)$ followed by laser fluorescence$({\gamma}=0.43)$, bite-wing radiograph$({\gamma}=0.35)$, and visual examination$({\gamma}=0.33)$. Dye-enhanced laser fluorescence and laser fluorescence showed significant correlation with demineralization time. 3. The sensitivity of laser fluorescence and dye-enhanced laser fluorescence for diagnosing approximal caries based on bite-wing radiography were 67%, 100% and those of specificity were 57%, 11% which showed diagnostic specificity was relatively lower than sensitivity. 4. The difference in optical density(DFR) between sound teeth and carious lesions according to lesion depth was high with dye-enhanced laser fluorescence compared with laser fluorescence. DFR measured with laser fluorescence according to changes in lesion depth was statistically significant but was not statistically significant with dye-enhanced laser fluorescence. Based on these results, laser fluorescence and dye-enhanced laser fluorescence have comparable diagnostic power as bite-wing radiography in early diagnosis of proximal caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2004

Talon cusp is cusp-like structure that develops additionally in crown of anterior tooth. And it is one of dental anomalies. Talon cusp can cause various diagnostic, functional, aesthetic problems depending on the size and configuration of cusp. there is a tendency for caries to occur in the developmental grooves, and advanced attrition, periodontal problems, irritation the tongue and temporomandibular pain, occlusal interference and displacement of affected tooth may result. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of each case is important so that it minimize local problems, such as caries, periodontal diseases, and malocclusion. These cases which are in permanent and primary anterior teeth are about gradual reduction forming reparative dentine and complete reduction of talon cusp and root canal therapy which is an alternative and effective form of treatment when gradual reduction of talon cusp may not be possible.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.170-184
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to investigate factors associated with dental visits in terms of getting diagnosis and receiving care for diagnosed dental diseases among Korean adults. Methods: Data used in this analysis were from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey which involved a representative sample of 25,487 adults nineteen years of age and older who resided in Korea. This analysis used data of adults who had completed health interview survey (n = 25,215). Uni- and bi-variate analysis, Chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses. were conducted using SAS. Results: The percentages of people diagnosed (treated) dental canes, periodontal disease. and temporomandibular joint disorder were 70.4(77.1), 16.1 (55.7), and 0.6(37.4), respectively. The reception of treatment for diagnosed dental caries and periodontal disease was significantly associated with older age, high monthly household income, and high education attainment. Logistic regression model indicated that age, monthly household income, education attainment, type of health insurance, and chewing problem were significantly associated with getting diagnosis and treatments of dental diseases. Most frequently answered reason for non - or delayed treatments of diagnosed dental diseases during the last one year was cost of treatments. Conclusions: The findings indicated that socio-economic-status still significantly affected reception of needed dental treatments among Korean adults despite the national health insurance system. Oral health policy and programs should be augmented to provide further support to adults of low socio-economic-status who are more prone to dental diseases yet lack resources for needed dental treatments.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2023

Xerostomia is defined as the subjective complaint of dry mouth with or without hyposalivation, which is insufficient salivary secretion from salivary gland. Xerostomia can lead to multiple oral symptoms such as dental caries, halitosis, burning mouth syndrome, and oral candidiasis, which can significantly impact the well-being of patients, especially in geriatric patients who may already have compromised health. Clinical findings of xerostomia include decreased salivary flow and alterations in salivary composition. These changes can lead to various oral health problems such as dental caries, periodontitis, swallowing and speaking difficulties, taste disturbances, halitosis, mucosal diseases, and burning mouth syndrome. Recognizing these clinical manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Although several reasons and risk factors have been suggested for xerostomia such as aging, chemo-radiation therapy, systemic disease, and Sjögren's syndrome, the polypharmacy is recently highlighted especially in elderly patients. Understanding the etiology and risk factors associated with xerostomia is crucial for effective management. To manage xerostomia patients, a multidisciplinary guideline should be established beyond dental care. Through this literature review, we summarized consideration for diagnostic, therapeutic, nursing essentials for the clinical guideline. By addressing the underlying causes and implementing appropriate treatment strategies, healthcare professionals can improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from xerostomia.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.367-376
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• 2011

Early detection of carious lesions increases the possibility of treatment without the need for surgical intervention. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging three-dimensional imaging technique that has been successfully used in other medical fields, such as ophthalmology for optical biopsy, and is a prospective candidate for early caries detection. The technique is based on low coherence interferometry and is advantageous in that it is non-invasive, does not use ionizing radiation, and can render threedimensional images. A brief history of the development of this technique and its principles are discussed in this paper. There have been numerous studies on caries detection, which were mostly in vitro or ex vivo experiments. Through these studies, the feasibility of OCT for caries detection was confirmed. However, further research should be performed, including in vivo studies of OCT applications, in order to prove the clinical usefulness of this technique. In addition, some technological problems must be resolved in the near future to allow for the use of OCT in everyday practice.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2007

Zinc compounds have been used in various fields - cosmetics, medicine, and dentistry -because of its effective functions to human tissues or organs. Especially, it is well known that zinc has many biologic effects in oral cavity. Zinc ion can affect various oral microorganisms, resulting in reduction of oral bacteria, dental plaque, and dental caries. Also, zinc ion has an ability to reduce amounts of oral anaerobic bacteria and oral VSC and can reduce oral malodor. The author summarized the characteristics and toxicity of zinc, several forms of zinc compounds applied in human tissues, and reviewed biologic effects of Zinc in oral cavity (anti-bacterial effects, anti-plaque effects, anti-caries effects, and anti-VSC effects of zinc). Because of many advantages of zinc in oral cavity, it can be concluded that application of zinc compound to various oral diseases will be extended and activated, and promising.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.490-496
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• 2000

We have conducted a retrospective study of 224 patients with the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial infection who had been treated between 1988 and 1999 at Gyeong-Sang National University Hospital. This study was aimed to furnish the data of oral and maxillofacial infection and to aid diagnosis and treatment. The most common fascial space involved, as determined by clinical, radiologic, and operative findings, were the submandibular space(39.4%). The most frequent cause of oral and maxillofacial infection was odontogenic 68.8%. In the odontogenic cause, dental caries was the most common cause. Two-hundred three patients required surgical drainage of the abscess. Seventeen patients needed tracheostomy for airway control. The overall mortality was 0.9% despite aggressive anti-microbial therapy and early surgical intervention. All other patients had an uneventful recovery without major complication except osteomyelitis case(6.0%). The combination of early radiologic diagnosis, effective antimicrobial therapy, and intensive surgical management contributed to the good prognosis.