A Review on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Technique in Dentistry Application: Limitations and Challenges

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive and ultrafast imaging technique that generates high resolution images of the internal tissue microstructures. It is almost similar to ultrasound techniques which utilize the reflection of sound waves that carries the structural information of biological sample from the tissue. In contrast to ultrasound techniques, OCT employs light instead of sound waves. Doctors and technologists discussed various limitations and challenges of running the OCT technique in the field of dentistry. This narrative review summarizes limitations and challenges of the OCT technique in dental diagnostics. We observed limitations on the imaging environment or equipment of OCT, imaging depth and penetration, low contrast images obtained, poor image resolutions, poor imaging quality, and the lack of skill necessary to operate OCT.