Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of Processed Human Dentin Biomaterials

Processed dentin materials are increasingly investigated as bio-based scaffolds for regenerative dentistry due to their native collagen-mineral architecture and compositional similarity to bone tissue. Raman spectroscopy represents a valuable non-destructive approach for assessing the physicochemical organization of dentin, allowing the simultaneous evaluation of its mineral and organic components. This study aimed to characterize the Raman spectroscopic profile of human dentin samples prepared using three different commercial processing systems: BonMaker, Tooth Transformer, and Smart Dentin Grinder. Extracted teeth collected over different years and stored under controlled conditions were processed to evaluate the molecular features of the resulting dentin-derived biomaterials. Raman spectra were analyzed to derive specific spectroscopic indices describing the mineral-matrix balance and collagen matrix quality. These parameters were compared across the three processing technologies and against unprocessed dentin controls. The mineral and collagen-related Raman indices suggested a substantial preservation of the principal organic matrix features across all samples, regardless of the storage period. Conversely, the observed spectral differences among the experimental groups appeared primarily related to the specific processing method applied by each device. These findings support the use of Raman spectroscopy as a robust and self-consistent tool for the structural and molecular characterization of dentinal-origin biomaterials. Overall, this technique provides a reliable analytical framework for defining the molecular fingerprint of processed dentin, supporting reproducible quality assessments of dentin-based regenerative matrices.