[Strontium content in hard tissues of milk teeth with and without caries]

By the method of atomic absorption flame spectrophotometry the strontium level was determined in the hard tissues of milk teeth with and without caries. The studied material comprised 163 milk teeth, including 81 with caries. All teeth were obtained from children of either sex living in Lublin. The material was divided into three age groups: up to 6 years, 6-10 years, and over 10 years. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis using an IMP85 m computer. It was found age and sex had no significant effect on the strontium level in the hard tissues of healthy milk teeth. However, a significant correlation was observed between strontium level and caries presence. Milk teeth with caries contained less strontium than carietic teeth.