Multi-elemental imaging of mouse teeth by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

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angličtina

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an optical analytical method used in material analysis. Due to its speed, simplicity, and the possibility of multi-elemental analysis of a heterogeneous sample it is a suitable method for fast mapping of various biological samples. One of the possible applications of the LIBS is in tooth analysis. Thanks to the mapping of the surface with spatial resolution in tens of micrometers, we obtain information about the distribution of biogenic elements in the tooth. The main elements are calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, whose distribution differs in different parts of the tooth. The enamel is the hardest and most calcified part of the tooth that protects the crown. In contrast, dentin, which forms the largest part of the tooth, contains larger amounts of magnesium and phosphorus. In this work, the variability of the distribution of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus within the matrix of the mouse incisors and molars was studied using two LIBS systems with spatial resolution of 30 and 16 micrometers. According to the distribution of these elements and the change in the relative intensity, the hardness of the tissue was studied depending on the tooth area. The differences in elemental composition in enamel and dentin were clear but a small difference in the distribution of magnesium within the dentin was observed. These results suggest the presence of two types of the dentin, which may be caused by the development of odontoblasts during the tooth formation.

mouse teeth, dentin, enamel, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, bioimaging

KONEČNÁ, A.; MODLITBOVÁ, P.; PROCHAZKA, D.; KŘIVÁNEK, J.; POŘÍZKA, P.; KAISER, J.

30. 11. 2021