Fluoride concentration in ancient teeth measured by nuclear reaction.
Fluoride content in the enamel and dentine of ancient teeth has been measured using a nuclear analysis technique. Analysed teeth were found in a vast necropolis of Sicily (Italy) which is archeologically datable between the 13th and the 8th century B.C. Measurements gave high fluoride concentrations, of the order of 10 mg per gram of hydroxyapatite, comparable with the content of fluorotic teeth of patients living nowadays in regions rich in fluorinated drinking water. Results suggest that the dental caries process was probably unknown to the tribal population living in this geographical area.
Torrisi
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Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Messina, Italy.
D003731:Dental Caries / Q000266:history; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000266:history; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D010161:Paleodontology; D011522:Protons; D012802:Sicily