Understanding the Interaction of Röntgen Radiation Employed in Computed Tomography/Cone Beam Computed Tomography Investigations of the Oral Cavity by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Saliva

Abstract

The use of Raman spectroscopy, particularly surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), offers a powerful tool for analyzing biochemical changes in biofluids. This study aims to assess the modifications occurring in saliva collected from patients before and after exposure to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. SERS analysis revealed significantly amplified spectra in post-imaging samples compared to pre-imaging samples, with pronounced intensification of thiocyanate and opiorphin bands, which, together with proteins, dominated the spectra. The changes were more pronounced in the case of CT as compared to CBCT, probably due to the use of a high radiation dose in the case of the first-mentioned technique. These findings underscore the impact of CBCT and CT on salivary composition, highlighting the relevance of SERS as a sensitive method for detecting subtle molecular changes in biofluids post-radiation exposure. This study’s results emphasize the importance of monitoring biochemical markers in patients undergoing diagnostic imaging to better understand the systemic effects of ionizing radiation.

Keywords

• saliva
• X-rays
• CBCT
• CT
• SERS
• biomarkers