[Electron probe microanalysis of fluorine content in deciduous and permanent teeth from an area with a...

The content of fluorine in deciduous and permanent teeth of young people was determined by x-ray microanalysis. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the concentrations of F in teeth without any supplementation of fluorides and to elaborate basic dates as a standard of comparison. F was measured in microvolumes with a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer (Step-Scan 100 sec) after coating with about 300 A of Carbon. The highest values were established in the outermost surface of enamel with quantities between 300 and 600 micrograms/g. The lower concentrations were found in deciduouns teeth. In both dentitions the F-content increases at the surface following the permanent change between de- and remineralization. In subsurface areas the values are decreasing quickly. At a deep of 10 microns from surface layer the content is only 70 micrograms/g and than it declines to a minimum of 20-30 micrograms/g.