title: High levels of heavy metal accumulation in dental calculus of smokers: a pilot inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various trace elements, including toxic heavy metals, may exist in dental calculus. However, the effect of environmental factors on heavy metal composition of dental calculus is unknown. Smoking is a major environmental source for chronic toxic heavy metal exposition. The aim of this study is to compare toxic heavy metal accumulation levels in supragingival dental calculus of smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 29 supragingival dental calculus samples were obtained from non-smoker (n = 14) and smoker (n = 15) individuals. Subjects with a probability of occupational exposure were excluded from the study. Samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in terms of 26 metals and metalloids, including toxic heavy metals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Toxic heavy metals, arsenic (p < 0.05), cadmium (p < 0.05), lead (p < 0.01), manganese (p < 0.01) and vanadium (p < 0.01) levels were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers. The levels of other examined elements were similar in both groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the elementary composition of dental calculus may be affected by environmental factors such as tobacco smoke. Therefore, dental calculus may be utilized as a non-invasive diagnostic biological material for monitoring chronic oral heavy metal exposition. However, further studies are required to evaluate its diagnostic potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaprak
authors.affiliation: Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yolcubal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral Diagnosis Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinanoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doğrul-Demiray
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guzeldemir-Akcakanat
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marakoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: ICP-MS; dental calculus; heavy metal accumulation; smoking