[Fluoride content in supragingival dental calculus measured with X-ray microanalysis]

Sparse reports on the composition of mineralized deposits forming in the child's oral cavity generally reveal their lower degree of mineralization. As reports on the formation of dental calculus in children are incomplete, we decided to study some conditions in which this process takes place. The aim of the study was to determine whether fluorine is present in supragingival dental calculus. We enrolled 12-year-old children (17 girls, 11 boys) living in a large city.

X-ray microanalysis of dental calculus revealed the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, sulphur, chlorine, silicon, and fluorine. Chemical analysis of 10 sites on each specimen showed large variations as to the number of elements found and their content. Fluorine was present in one specimen only (3.6%) at a very high concentration of 10.27%+/-1.27 (w/w). Chemical composition of mineralized dental deposits shows marked individual variability and the presence of fluorine is not a constant finding.