The aim of this work is a multi-component analysis of the element composition of the enamel and carious parts of teeth and the quantifi cation of enamel demineralization using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). For each tooth the P/Ca ratios of the emission line intensities in the enamel part and those in the carious regions were compared. Since zinc is a trace element, the same procedure was performed for Zn/Ca ratios in the enamel and carious parts. These comparisons showed that the mineral loss from carious lesions occurs at different rates for the studied elements. Calcium has the highest casualty rate. On the other hand, the zinc level diminishes also in the carious region but at a lower rate. The lines were obtained from plume plasma emission generated on the enamel and carious regions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.