Fluorescence from dentin and cementum in human mandibular second premolars and its relation to age

Investigations were carried out to study the fluorescent properties of human dentin and cementum and their relation to age. One hundred mandibular second premolars were ground according to the "half tooth" technique. The intensity of the red fluorescence was measured during illumination of dentin and cementum with a green light. The results were analyzed with the use of the SPSS. The intensity of the fluorescent light recorded from cementum was stronger than that recorded from dentin. A paired t-test showed no statistically significant left/right difference in fluorescence. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated a strong relationship between age and fluorescence from dentin (r = 0.73) and from cementum (r = 0.77). The sex of the individual had no significant influence on the fluorescence. Teeth removed from decreased individuals emitted fluorescence with a slightly stronger intensity than did teeth extracted from living patients. Regression analysis indicated a linear relationship between age and the fluorescence from either dentin or cementum. There was a strong correlation between the intensity of the fluorescence and color estimates from the same teeth and the partial correlation coefficient was still statistically significant when controlling for the effect of age.