Evaluation of Mineralization in Healthy Human Enamel by Raman Spectroscopy

Objectives: An understanding of tooth enamel mineralization using a clinically viable method is essential since variations in mineralization may serve as an early precursor of a dental health issues, and may predict progression and architecture of decay in addition to assessing the success and effectiveness of the remineralization strategies.
Methods: Human teeth were obtained in compliance with the NIH guidelines and examined site specifically with Raman microscope. In the current study, an x10 objective was used to focus the laser light. The resulting excitation spot was about 10 mm in diameter and the penetration of the laser was within 100 mm. Utilization of lower magnification objectives can provide larger spot sizes and greater penetration depths.
Results: Mineralization levels have varied substantially between individuals. The highest Raman-based mineralization intensity was about 5-fold greater than the lowest mineralization score. Incisor mineralization varied dramatically depending on the regions as well.
Incisor mineralization varied dramatically depending on the regions apical, median or cervical. When the measurements were pooled within a region, mineralization level of apical, medial parts of the crown did not differ significantly. However, the cervical region, exhibited lower mineralization (p < 0.05) than apical and medial locations.
Conclusions: It was also observed that, the cervical enamel is the least mineralization as a populational average. When individually assessed, mineralization varied along the apical to cervical axis for some individuals; whereas in others there were no changes. An early identification of the overall low mineralization of the enamel may be a valuable screening tool in determining a group with higher than average caries risk.