Estimation of trace elements in sound and carious enamel of primary and permanent teeth by atomic absorption spectrophotometry: an in vitro study.
The influence of trace elements on the prevalence of caries is a complex subject. However, the demonstration of an inverse relationship between caries prevalence and fluoride (F) intake indicates the potential effect of trace elements on caries.


OBJECTIVE
This in vitro study sought to estimate and compare the trace element concentrations in sound and carious enamel of primary and permanent teeth.


METHODS
Forty sound and carious primary and permanent teeth, extracted from children and adolescents of Davangere city, were collected. The teeth were divided into four groups (of ten each) and enamel samples were prepared by mechanical grinding. The trace elements were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study showed the presence of 18 trace elements (F, Sr, K, Al, Si, Ni, B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Cr, Zn, Mg, Se, Pb, Mo, and V) in the enamel of sound and carious primary and permanent teeth. The mean, standard deviation, and range (at 95% confidence level) were calculated for each element. The concentrations of F, Sr, and K were significantly ( P <0.05) higher in sound enamel of permanent teeth than in sound enamel of primary teeth. The concentrations of F, Sr, K, Al, and Fe were significantly ( P <0.05) higher in sound enamel of permanent teeth than in carious enamel of permanent teeth. The concentrations of F, K, and Si were significantly ( P <0.05) higher in sound enamel of primary teeth than in carious enamel of primary teeth.
Shashikiran
N D
ND
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere - 577 004, Karnataka, India. drshashikiran@yahoo.com
Subba Reddy
V V
VV
Hiremath
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D001895:Boron / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry*; D005461:Fluorine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012825:Silicon / Q000032:analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013324:Strontium / Q000032:analysis; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D014131:Trace Elements; D002857:Chromium; D005461:Fluorine; D003035:Cobalt; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; D000535:Aluminum; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D001895:Boron; D011188:Potassium; D013324:Strontium; D012825:Silicon