Raman Analysis of Teeth : A Pilot Study

Teeth are highly mineralised structures that are one of the most commonly found human remains in archaeology. However, analysing tooth chemistry is notoriously difficult due to their complex composition. Raman spectroscopy offers a powerful and non-destructive tool for analysing the chemical composition of dental tissues. Additionally, understanding how increasingly prevalent modern lifestyle factors - such as vaping, impact the chemical composition of the tooth surface is critical to both clinical and public health research. This study aimed to apply and evaluate Raman spectroscopy within two contexts: (1) archaeological teeth exposed to either cremation or burial, and (2) modern deer teeth exposed to varying concentrations of commercially available vape solution, to investigate the effects on tooth surface chemistry. Archaeological human teeth were supplied by the Lancaster Maritime Museum and analysed via Raman spectroscopy. Resulting spectra revealed differences between cremated and buried teeth, specifically within the phosphate group of the hydroxyapatite and the loss of collagen in cremated samples. In the second experiment, deer teeth (red deer, n = 6; roe deer, n = 6) displayed a statistically significant (95% confidence intervals) change in mineral chemistry identified as early as week 1 of the experiment, with time-dependent changes in root mineral chemistry continuing for the 4-week period. These findings support the use of Raman spectroscopy in successfully differentiating between cremated and buried tooth samples within an archaeological context, as well as detecting statistically significant chemical alterations in the surfaces of teeth exposed to vape solutions. This study highlights the use Raman spectroscopy within archaeology and dental research. In addition, the effects of vape solution on tooth chemistry brings forward important clinical and public health concerns regarding the safety of the base components within commercially available e-liquid / vape solution.