Abstract
Thin-slices of human teeth were applied for the determination of ultraviolet absorption by using a microspectrophotometer (Zeiss UMSP type 1). The tooth tissue shows a non-specific ultraviolet absorption in a wide range of wave-length from 240nm to 300nm. The profile of spectra was different from that of nucleoprotein. The absorption spectrum in dentine was similar to that in cementum, but differ from that in enamel. The A260 and A280 show two or three times higher in dentine or enamel than those in cementum, respectively. A major part of ultraviolet absorbing substance in teeth seems to be extracted with a 5% of perchloric acid solution. A relative ultraviolet absorption value (A260 or A280 per unit area) distributed in different quantity relating to the tooth structure, whereas the value showed much higher in enamel than in dentine and lowest in cementum.
