[Iron content of carious and non-carious milk teeth hard tissues]

Using the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry the iron level was determined in the hard tissues of carietic and non-carietic milk teeth. The studied material comprised 163 milk teeth, including 81 with caries. All teeth were obtained from children of both sexes living in Lublin. The material was divided into age groups aged up to 6 years, 6-10 years and over 10 years. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis with an IMP 85 m computer. A significant correlation was found between the iron level in the hard tissues of the milk teeth and caries. The carietic milk teeth contained significantly less iron as compared to healthy teeth. The iron level in non-carietic milk teeth decreased with age. Sex was without effect on the level of this element in the dental hard tissues.