MEASUREMENTS OF FLUORESCENCE HETEROGENEITY IN HUMAN TEETH USING POLARIZATION MICROFLUOROMETRY

Human teeth fluoresce as a result of illumination by UV-light (λmax = 450 nm). The spectral, anisotropic, and temporal heterogeneities of a tooth's fluorescence have been investigated with respect to tooth structure A polarization microfluorometer and a time-resolved fluorometer were employed. The fluorescence intensity of the dentin increase with tooth age. On the basis of the fluorometric investigations, it appears that a complex of cross-linked collagen with hydroxyapatite is a possible fluorescing compound within the tooth tissue. Observed fluorescence anisotropy in the tooth tissue suggests heterogeneous structure of the fluorescing compound.