Spectroscopic study of demineralization and restoration processes in dental enamel

Abstract

Saratov State Technical University, ERL LTT, 77, Politechnicheskaya st., 410054, Saratov, Russia The spectroscopic study of dental enamel by LIBS (laser induced breakdown spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) and XRD (X-ray diffraction) are represented. The changes of enamel structure and composition in process of natural (caries) and artificial demineralization and restoration were studied. In comparison of sound and carious enamel LIBS showed a decrease of the content of Ca, P and change of the content of some other macro-and trace elements (Mn, Na, Fe, Zn etc). The character of the elemental composition variation was stipulated by the concrete disease. Analysis of FTIR and XRD spectra of dental samples, subjected to artificial demineralization and restoration, showed that restoration action reveals slower, than demineralization. And in some cases the damage of crystals after restoration is more significant than after demineralization. © 2007 SPIE-OSA.