Raman confocal microscopy atlas of human tooth

Dental histology is a field that has been studied since the early 19th century. Most of the techniques used have been based on white-light microscopy or histological staining, or more recently immunohistochemical staining. With the advent of lasers coupled to confocal microscopy, Raman spectra can be measured in large numbers to create a detailed chemical atlas of the human tooth, offering new insights into its composition and structure.

A total of twenty teeth, with 5 teeth from each type premolar, molar, incisor and canine were selected. Five teeth of different types pre-molar and molar incisor canine (total of 20 teeth) These teeth were sectioned and polished, and pulps extracted and cut into thin layers, to perform chemical mapping of all these tissues and components, including secondary structures, based on Raman scattering.

We obtained images reconstructed from the intensities of the various characteristic peaks, enabling us to create an atlas of the tooth. A part of the result confirm previous study, but some structures have been revealed for the first time by chemical cartography: cementum dentin junction, dental pulp, Retzius striae, scallop pattern, Hunter-Schreger bands, sheat enamel prism content and dentin branches.

The present study thus provides the dental research and practice community with a complete chemical mapping of the fundamental and secondary constituents of the dental organ, with optical resolution.