title: Spatial distribution of lead in the roots of human primary teeth.
abstract: Lead remains one of the most hazardous metals in our environment. The concentrations of lead in coronal dentine and enamel have previously been reported but limited information is available regarding lead levels in radicular dentine and cementum. This study reports the distribution of lead in 26 roots of 16 human maxillary primary teeth from seven individuals. In addition, calcium and phosphorous concentrations were also measured to detect any variations in the degree of mineralization in different regions of the roots. The mean lead concentration in these roots was 1.67 +/- 1.43 microg/g, which is comparable to other studies. In all cases there were higher lead concentrations in the apices of non-resorbed roots of primary maxillary teeth relative to middle and cervical regions. The findings reported here are of potential significance during the process of physiological root resorption whence periapical tissue may be exposed to higher levels of lead.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Wentworthville, NSW, Australia. maro3476@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Sheena W Y
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Ashwini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Dante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crisante
authors.forename: D Murray
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003481:Cuspid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008963:Molar / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012391:Root Resorption; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000378:metabolism; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000378:metabolism; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D007854:Lead; D002118:Calcium