Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 449-452, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Accuracy of Kubelka-Munk reflectance theory applied to human dentin and enamel
J. C. Ragain Jr and W. M. Johnston
Naval Dental Research Institute, Great Lakes, IL 60088-5259, USA. james.ragain@ndri.med.navy.mil
The Kubelka-Munk (K-M) theory provides a reflectance model for translucent
materials placed on backings of different colors. We hypothesize that
Kubelka-Munk (K-M) theoretical diffuse reflectance spectra of dentin and
enamel are in good agreement with observed diffuse reflectance. The aim of
this study was to measure the reflectance of enamel and dentin specimens
and to compare the measured values of reflectance with K-M theoretical
values. Disc-shaped specimens of enamel, dentin, and enamel/dentin were
prepared from extracted teeth. Diffuse reflectance spectra were measured on
three backings by means of a reflectance spectrophotometer over every
wavelength (lambda) from 400 to 700 nm at three thicknesses. The measured
reflectance values were fit by non-linear regression to corrected K-M
theory. The low value of the reported errors associated with the
application of K-M theory illustrated that the theoretical diffuse
reflectance spectra of dentin and enamel are in good agreement with the
observed diffuse reflectance.
