Absorption of infrared radiation by human dental hard substances

Absorption spectra of enamel, dentin, synthetic hydroxyapatite and deionized water were taken in the wavelength band 500 to 3000 nm. It could be shown that infrared radiation is mainly absorbed in the aqueous components of dental hard tissues. Because of their decreased water content extinctions measured are slightly lower than those of deionized water. Furthermore, mineral absorptions could be detected in the range of 2760 to 2840 nm with a maximum at 2800 nm in enamel and a smaller one at 2500 nm in dentin.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.