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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A New Approach for Nanoparticle's Mapping and Quantification in Organ Tissue
Published on: June 18, 2014
Measuring elemental compositional effect of diabetes on dental hard tissues: Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, a
Muhammad Mustafa Dastageer1, Khurram Siraj1, Shazia Naz2
1Laser & Optronics Centre, Department of Physics, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Main Campus, G. T. Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
Objectives:
This study evaluates the effect of diabetes mellitus type II (T2DM) on the elemental composition of human dental tissues (enamel, coronal dentine, and cementum).
Methods:
Thirty extracted premolars and molars (healthy group: n = 13, diabetic group: n = 17) were sectioned into enamel, dentine, and cementum. The one-line calibration-free Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (OL-CFLIBS) approach was used for compositional analysis of three tissues, which was validated with Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Laser-induced plasma parameters (plasma temperature and electron number density) were used in OL-CFLIBS. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) of the outcomes was assessed using the Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
Laser-induced intense plasma on diabetic patients' dental tissues yields higher values of plasma parameters (electron number density and plasma frequency) relative to healthy participants. The diabetic tissues exhibited lower concentrations of Zn, Sr, Si, and K (P < 0.05), but higher concentrations of Fe and Sn (P < 0.05), which correlated with diabetes. LIBS quantitative findings agreed with EDS for elements (Ca, P, Na) within a relative error of 5 %.
Conclusion:
Diabetes-induced alterations in the elemental composition of three tissues can be measured by detecting variations in plasma parameters and the concentration of trace elements.
Clinical Significance:
Clinically, Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) can serve as a diagnostic and preventive tool in dentistry for monitoring trace element content, allowing early intervention and reducing the risk of dental treatment failures in diabetic patients.
