title: Evaluation of mineral content in healthy permanent human enamel by Raman spectroscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An understanding of tooth enamel mineral content 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
  Twenty two human incisor teeth were obtained in compliance with the NIH guidelines and site specifically imaged with Raman microscope. The front portion of the teeth was divided into apical, medium and cervical regions and subsequently imaged with Raman microscope in these three locations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measured mineralization levels have varied substantially depending on the regions. It was also observed that, the cervical enamel is the least mineralization as a populational average.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enamel mineralization is affected by a many factors such as are poor oral hygiene, alcohol consumption and high intake of dietary carbohydrates, however the net effect manifests as overall mineral content of the enamel. Thus an early identification of the individual with overall low mineral content of the enamel may be a valuable screening tool in determining a group with much higher than average caries risk, allowing intervention before development of caries. Clinically applicable non-invasive techniques that can quantify mineral content, such as Raman analysis, would help answer whether or not mineralization is associated with caries risk.Key words:Enamel, Raman spectroscopy, mineral content, dental caries.
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akkus
authors.affiliation: Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Asya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akkus
authors.affiliation: DDS, MSc, PhD, Department of Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roperto
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Ozan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akkus
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; DDS, MSc, PhD, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.affiliation: DDS, MBA, Department of Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teich
authors.affiliation: DDS, MBA, Department of Comprehensive Care, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lang