Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of trace elements in human coronal dentin

Mass concentrations reported on the elemental composition of human dentin show great discrepancies between different investigations using various techniques. The purpose of the study was to determine the concentrations of bromine (Br), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) in the coronal dentin of permanent teeth from Sweden and from New York City. Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was used for the analyses. There were no statistically significant differences in elemental composition between the Swedish and the New York teeth, although the ranges were wider in the American material, except for Br. The results were compared with values presented by other investigators. The significance of the differences noted is uncertain in view of the differences in materials and methods employed in earlier studies. The PIXE technique applied to the analysis of trace elements in dental hard tissues offers great advantages in being accurate, rapid, and nondestructive.