Measuring elemental compositional effect of diabetes on dental hard tissues: Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, a...

Area of Science:

• Dental research
• Analytical chemistry
• Biomaterials science

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus type II (T2DM) is a systemic disease affecting various tissues, including dental structures.
• The elemental composition of human dental tissues (enamel, dentine, cementum) may be altered by T2DM.
• Understanding these alterations is crucial for dental health management in diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of T2DM on the elemental composition of human dental tissues.
• To investigate the utility of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in detecting these T2DM-induced changes.

Main Methods:

• Thirty extracted human teeth from healthy (n=13) and T2DM (n=17) individuals were analyzed.
• Dental tissues (enamel, dentine, cementum) were analyzed using one-line calibration-free Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (OL-CFLIBS).
• Results were validated using Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and statistical significance was assessed (P < 0.05).

Main Results:

• Diabetic dental tissues showed higher plasma parameters (electron number density, plasma frequency) compared to healthy tissues.
• Significant differences in elemental concentrations were observed: lower Zn, Sr, Si, K and higher Fe, Sn in diabetic tissues (P < 0.05).
• LIBS quantitative analysis for Ca, P, Na agreed with EDS within a 5% relative error.

Conclusions:

• T2DM significantly alters the elemental composition of enamel, dentine, and cementum.
• Variations in plasma parameters and trace element concentrations, detectable by LIBS, correlate with diabetes.
• LIBS shows promise as a diagnostic tool for monitoring dental trace elements in diabetic patients, enabling early intervention.