Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy Applying a Principal Component-Linear Discriminant Analysis

Dental fluorosis is an irreversible condition caused by excessive fluoride consumption during tooth formation and is considered a public health problem in several world regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of micro-Raman spectroscopy to classify teeth of different fluorosis severities, applying principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA), and estimate the model cross-validation accuracy. Forty teeth of different fluorosis severities and a control group were analyzed. Ten spectra were captured from each tooth and a total of 400 micro-Raman spectra were acquired in the wavenumber range of 250 to 1200 cm−1, including the bands corresponding to stretching and bending internal vibrational modes ν1, ν2, ν3, and ν4 (PO43−). From the analysis of the micro-Raman spectra an increase in B-type carbonate ion substitution into the phosphate site of the hydroxyapatite as fluorosis severity increases was identified. The PCA-LDA model showed a sensitivity and specificity higher than 94% and 93% for the different fluorosis severity groups, respectively. The cross-validation accuracy was higher than 90%. Micro-Raman spectroscopy combined with PCA-LDA provides an adequate tool for the diagnosis of fluorosis severity. This is a non-invasive and non-destructive technique with promising applications in clinical and epidemiological fields.