# Thermography and Infrared Spectroscopy in the Detection of Periodontal Inflammation In Vivo: A Systematic Review

## TL;DR

This systematic review explores the use of thermography and infrared spectroscopy as non-invasive tools for detecting periodontal inflammation, offering an alternative to traditional methods.

## Contribution

The paper systematically evaluates the potential of thermography and infrared spectroscopy for in vivo periodontal inflammation detection.

## Key findings

- Thermography and infrared spectroscopy show feasibility in detecting periodontal inflammation in vivo.
- These techniques offer non-invasive and radiation-free alternatives to traditional diagnostic methods.
- Further research is needed to standardize methodologies and validate clinical applicability.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Periodontal inflammation is a key feature of periodontal diseases, but traditional diagnostic methods are limited by invasiveness and radiation exposure. This systematic review aims to evaluate the potential of thermography and infrared spectroscopy for the in vivo detection of periodontal inflammation and to assess their reliability for clinical use. Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, an electronic search of the MEDLINE (PubMed) database was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and October 2025 that investigated these imaging modalities in periodontal inflammation diagnosis. Results: The search identified 310 records; after exclusions, 13 studies were included, comprising 7 thermography studies and 6 infrared spectroscopy studies, for a total of 712 patients. The included studies demonstrated the feasibility of thermography and infrared spectroscopy for detecting inflammatory changes in periodontal tissues in vivo. These non-invasive imaging techniques may help overcome the limitations of conventional clinical and radiographic diagnostic methods, particularly invasiveness and exposure to ionizing radiation. Conclusions: This field remains underexplored, and further studies are required to validate diagnostic performance, standardize methodologies, and determine their clinical applicability in routine periodontal practice.