A simple, sensitive and non-destructive technique for characterizing bovine dental enamel erosion: attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

A sensitive spectroscopy technique could provide a simple, non-invasive way of measuring the extent of dental enamel erosion. Tooth enamel is prone to softening and erosion caused by consuming acidic foods and drinks, and a highly sensitive and non-destructive way of measuring the resulting damage is needed. Tae-Yub Kwon at Kyungpook National University and co-workers across South Korea compared an existing enamel microhardness test (Vickers) with a technique called attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, or ATR-FTIR, capable of revealing microscopic changes on a molecular level. The team immersed cattle teeth in ten different acidic drinks, and interpreted the resulting ATR-FTIR spectra. Their method proved more sensitive than the Vickers test, giving detailed insights into surface hardness and erosion. Crucially, using ATR-FTIR would allow scientists to monitor enamel changes repeatedly in the same teeth over time.

Keywords

acidic beverage / enamel erosion / Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy / microhardness / sensitivity

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