# Imaging Dental Caries with SWIR Light

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $377,376

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The overall objective of this proposed research is to develop improved methods for the
detection and diagnosis of dental caries (dental decay). New, more sophisticated
diagnostic tools are needed for the detection and characterization of caries lesions in the
early stages of development. If carious lesions are detected early enough, before
cavitation, then they can be arrested/remineralized by non-surgical means. Clinicians
need new imaging technologies employing non-ionizing radiation to aid in caries
diagnosis and management, to reliably track the course of lesions over an extended time
period in order to determine whether the lesion is active and expanding or whether it has
been arrested, and determine if intervention is needed. Short wavelength infrared light
(SWIR) is defined as light from 1000-2500-nm beyond the reach of conventional silicon
based sensors. Longer wavelengths offer significant advantages for imaging caries
lesions including higher contrast between sound and demineralized tissues due to
reduced light scattering and higher water absorption and reduced interference from
stains that do not absorb light at wavelengths greater than 1200-nm. We hypothesize
that the wavelength region from 1300 to 2300-nm offers the greatest potential for new
optical imaging modalities. The overall objectives of this proposal will be achieved
through the following specific aims. (1) To test the hypothesis that imaging with light in
the previously unexplored wavelength range from 1700-2350-nm in the SWIR will yield
increased contrast between sound tissues and demineralized tissues on tooth coronal
and root surfaces. (2) To test the hypothesis that multispectral and multimodal SWIR
imaging approaches can be used to significantly improve the diagnosis of caries lesions.
(3) To test the hypothesis that imaging at longer wavelengths in the SWIR can be used
to improve the diagnosis of lesions on tooth proximal surfaces by assessing cavitation
and deeply penetrating lesions. It is likely that if these studies and future clinical trials
are a success, that this novel technology for imaging dental hard tissue will be employed
for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of early carious lesions without the use of
ionizing radiation, thereby enabling conservative non-surgical intervention and the
preservation of healthy tissue structure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10399463
- **Project number:** 5R01DE028295-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Fried
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $377,376
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10399463

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10399463, Imaging Dental Caries with SWIR Light (5R01DE028295-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10399463. Licensed CC0.

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