title: Calcium and magnesium levels in primary tooth enamel and genetic variation in enamel formation genes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence exists that a genetic component in caries susceptibility is related to variation in enamel formation genes. The purpose of this study was to explore the trends of demineralization and remineralization of teeth from individuals whose genotypes for selected genes (ENAM, MMP20, TUFT, TFIP, and AMBN) are known.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, primary baseline teeth (20) were exposed to an artificial caries solution, followed by a remineralizing solution. Biopsies of each tooth category (baseline, carious, and fluoridated) were completed via an acid wash solution. Concentrations of magnesium and calcium were measured using an optical emission spectrometer instrument. Allele and genotype frequencies for calcium and magnesium levels were compared between each tooth category. To help interpret the results, we also calculated odds ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calcium levels exceeded magnesium levels in each sample. In addition, mineral concentration varied among samples. Associations could be seen between genetic variation in ENAM (P=.0003 baseline values for calcium, P<.001 baseline values for magnesium, P<.04 artificial caries values for magnesium) and AMBN (P<.02 artificial caries values for calcium) with mineral concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that genetic variation of enamel formation genes may influence calcium and magnesium concentrations of teeth and impact the development of caries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
authors.forename: Alina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Halusic
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
authors.forename: Victoria R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Sepich
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Shirley
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology, Duque de Caxias, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Granjeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
authors.forename: Erika C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Küchler
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oral Biology and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA. arv11@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Alexandre R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vieira
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine; D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003596:Cytosine; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry*; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006147:Guanine; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D053519:Matrix Metalloproteinase 20 / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013941:Thymine; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C490889:AMBN protein, human; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C550525:ENAM protein, human; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C038456:tuftelin; D006147:Guanine; D003596:Cytosine; C507111:MMP20 protein, human; D053519:Matrix Metalloproteinase 20; D008274:Magnesium; D000225:Adenine; D005459:Fluorides; D013941:Thymine; D002118:Calcium