Researchers from University of California, San Diego used photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging with a contrast agent to measure pocket depths in swine models. The measurements were compared to those taken with a periodontal probe.

Results showed that the photoacoustic imaging approach offered 0.01-mm precision and could cover the entire pocket, compared to the probe-based approach, which was limited in the number of sites it could cover. The gingival thickness could also be precisely measured using data obtained from the ultrasound mode.

The values gathered with the ultrasound technique matched that of the top periodontal probe approaches, but they were more precise and covered all areas of the tooth.

The researchers said this was the first demonstration of measuring pocket depths with photoacoustic imaging. Potential implications could include tools for automated dental examinations or noninvasive examinations. In future work, the researchers will use models of periodontal disease and automated algorithms to collect and process the data received via ultrasound.

The research was published in the Journal of Dental Research (doi:10.1177/0022034517729820).