Dentin Metal and Trace Elements in Deciduous Teeth: Findings from Project Viva

Deciduous teeth can reveal historical exposure to metals, yet their distribution within populations remains underexplored. This study aimed to characterize metal levels in deciduous teeth, compare measurements across duplicate teeth, and assess associations with maternal blood metal concentrations during pregnancy, while considering maternal and child characteristics. We recruited women into Project Viva between 1999 and 2002 during early pregnancy. During follow-up study visits between 2017 and 2020, the women provided their child's deciduous teeth. Dentin metal concentrations were analyzed using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, covering a measurement range from 21 weeks before to 55 weeks after birth. Multiple teeth were compared using Bland-Altman plots and cross-correlations. Maternal erythrocyte metals were measured in the first and second trimesters using ICP-MS. Significant positive correlations were found between maternal erythrocyte Pb and child's dentin Pb, particularly with the strongest association observed between second trimester maternal Pb and prenatal dentin Pb (Spearman r = 0.78, p < 0.001). Metal concentrations varied with maternal race, age, income, and smoking status, indicating that these factors influence metal levels in dentin. The study underscores the utility of deciduous teeth in tracking early life metal exposure and highlights how maternal factors can impact these levels.