ABSTRACT
Samples of whole enamel prepared from 83 teeth were analyzed for the concentrations of 30 trace elements. Samples were from lifelong residents, younger than 20 years of age, of a high-caries area (Oregon) and a low-caries area (California). All samples were caries-free, prepared by standardized methods, and analyzed by spark source mass spectrometry by one laboratory. Elements strongly associated with a high prevalence of caries were copper, and, to a lesser extent, aluminum, sulfur, titanium, chromium, nickel, silver, and tin. A low prevalence of caries was associated with high concentrations of strontium in enamel.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Enamel/analysis , Trace Elements/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , California , Child , Copper/analysis , DMF Index , Female , Fluorine/analysis , Humans , Male , Manganese/analysis , Oregon , Strontium/analysisABSTRACT
Whole enamel samples prepared from 208 teeth were analyzed for concentrations of 30 trace elements. Higher concentrations of fluorine and strontium in enamel were found to be related to low caries incidence. The results for strontium were particularly strong in their association with low caries. The trace elements aluminum barium, copper, lithium, and zircronium were positively related to caries whereas silver and tin were negatively related to caries, at weaker associations.
