Figure 3

Selected LIBS spectra from an enamel part of the tooth, recorded at a location affected by caries (full line trace) and at a sound, unaffected location (dotted line trace). In the caries-affected section (a) Ca diminishes at the expense of Mg; (b) Ca diminishes at the expense of Li; (c) Ca diminishes at the expense of Ba and Sr; (d) Ca and P diminish at the expense of Zn and C; (e) Ca diminishes at the expense of Na; and (f) Ca diminishes at the expense of K and Mg.