Assessment of composition changes in demineralization and remineralization of human dentin using Raman spectroscopy/Beurteilung der Veränderungen in der Zusammensetzung von humanem Dentin durch Demineralisation und Remineralisation mittels Raman-Spektroskopie

Abstract To evaluate the whole process of demineralization and remineralization in human dentin using Raman spectroscopy (RS). Human molars from Chinese subjects were cut into tooth sections and painted with an acid-resistant varnish leaving one dentin surface exposed. The tooth sections were immersed in 0.3% citric acid to simulate the oral natural demineralization and were randomly divided into three groups with a sample size of n=12 each: 10 min (I), 20 min (II), and 40 min (III), according to the acid etch time. Then all the samples were submitted to a remineralizing solution for 5 days. The Raman spectra were measured before and after each treatment. The result showed that although there was no new constituent formed in the whole process, the peak intensities of inorganic constituents decreased with the increase of acid etch time, while the trend of the organic constituents were the opposite. After remineralization, the peak intensities of inorganic constituents increased again. In conclusion, using RS it would be possible to efficiently monitor the demineralization and remineralization status of human dentin.