# Depolarization‐Based Multimodal Optical Imaging of Carious Lesions

## TL;DR

This study uses non-ionizing imaging techniques to visualize and analyze different stages of tooth decay, supporting the development of safer diagnostic tools.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive image catalog and validates PS-OCT as a non-ionizing method for dental caries detection.

## Key findings

- PS-OCT imaging effectively visualizes carious lesions at various developmental stages.
- The image catalog supports the interpretation of optical signals by comparing them with histology.
- The study bridges histopathological analysis with future in vivo optical imaging techniques.

## Abstract

A comprehensive image catalog from an in vitro investigation of teeth with occlusal carious lesions is provided. The aim was to visualize carious lesions using various imaging techniques in order to present different stages of caries progression and to provide reference data for the development and validation of polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) as a non‐ionizing diagnostic method for dental caries. The study covers a variety of approaches, bridging the gap from basic histopathological analysis of thin sections to future optical imaging of occlusal carious lesions in vivo. All measurements were performed to support the interpretation and validation of PS‐OCT imaging based on the degree of polarization (DOP).

Occlusal caries is visualized using non‐ionizing imaging techniques, including polarization‐sensitive OCT (PS‐OCT). The image collection captures different stages of lesion development and supports the interpretation of optical signals by comparison with histology. The study lays the groundwork for future diagnostic tools that enable safe, accurate, and early caries detection without radiation.