X-ray microtomographic study of mineral concentration distribution in deciduous enamel.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mineral concentration distribution in deciduous enamel by quantitative X-ray microtomography (XMT).


METHODS
Tooth rods ( approximately 2 mm x 2 mm) were removed from the mid-buccal region of 11 deciduous molars. Three XMT slices were taken at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm from the amelocemental junction. The distribution and variation in mineral concentration of enamel were studied from the XMT images.


RESULTS
The mean mineral concentration for all the teeth was 2.81 (S.D. = 0.065) g cm(-3). There was no notable difference in the mean mineral concentration values between the three XMT slices of each tooth. However, there was up to 8% variation between different teeth (2.69-2.92 g cm(-3)). Gradients of increasing mineral concentration from the amelodentinal junction (ADJ) to the external surface were found, ranging from 0.08 to 0.60 mg cm(-3) microm(-1) with a mean of 0.366 mg cm(-3) microm(-1). The mineral concentration gradients in the occlusal slices were steeper than those in the cervical slices. The difference in mineral concentration between the inner and outer enamel ranged from 1.5 to 8.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the large variation in both the means and the gradients of mineral concentration in deciduous molars, the mineral distribution of each experimental tooth should be measured as baseline data in studies of caries progression.
Wong
F S L
FS
Centre for Oral Growth and Development, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London, E1 2AD, UK. f.s.l.wong@qmul.ac.uk
Anderson
P
P
Fan
H
H
Davis
G R
GR
D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008852:Microradiography / Q000379:methods; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D008903:Minerals