title: Elemental bio-imaging of trace elements in teeth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we present the application of a novel laboratory method that employs laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to construct two-dimensional maps of trace elements in teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teeth were sectioned longitudinally, embedded in resin and polished to a smooth surface. Data were generated by laser ablating the entire sectioned tooth surface. Elemental images were constructed using custom-built software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantified images of (66)Zn, (88)Sr, (111)Cd and (208)Pb, with a spatial resolution of 30 μm(2), were generated from three teeth. Concentrations were determined by single-point calibration against NIST SRM 1486 (bone meal). Zn and Sr concentrations were determined in the μg g(-1) range and Cd and Pb in the ng g(-1) range. Concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd were higher in dentine particularly in regions adjacent the pulp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elemental bio-imaging employing LA-ICP-MS is a novel method for constructing μm-scale maps of trace elements in teeth. This simple imaging method displays the heterogeneity of trace elements throughout the tooth structure that correspond to specific structural and developmental features of teeth. As a preliminary study, this work demonstrates the capabilities of LA-ICP-MS imaging in dental research.
authors: Elemental Bio-imaging Facility, Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. dominic.hare@uts.edu.au
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Hare
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Austin
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Doble
authors: Manish
authors: M
authors: Arora
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001688:Biological Products / Q000032:analysis; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000737:chemistry; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007180:Incisor / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012984:Software; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods*; D013324:Strontium / Q000032:analysis; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D008903:Minerals; D014131:Trace Elements; D002104:Cadmium; D010758:Phosphorus; D007854:Lead; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium; C027762:bone meal; D013324:Strontium