Chemical Composition of Enamel and Dentin. II. Fluorine Content

Abstract

It is generally agreed that fluorine is a constant component of enamel and dentin and that of all structures in the body, the teeth probably contain the largest amount of this element. In spite of efforts extending over the last 130 years no agreement has been reached as to the actual amount of fluorine in enamel and dentin. McClure (9) reviewed the literature of the period 1803-1933 and found the reported fluorine content of enamel, dentin and whole teeth to vary from zero to 1.4 per cent. Jacob and Reynolds (7), whose work was not reviewed by McClure, found whole teeth to contain 1.8 to 3.5 per cent fluorine. Of the older reports most credence has been placed in the results of Gautier and Clausmann (6) who found the fluorine content of enamel to vary between 0.118 and 0.172 per cent. It was McClure's opinion that the creditable literature indicated the presence of 0.1 to 0.2 per cent fluorine in enamel.The analyses made since McClure's review have indicated a lower fluorine content of teeth and teeth structures than had been found by the older investigators. The recent improvements in fluorine analytical methods have resulted in a downward trend of the determined amounts of fluorine in biological materials. Klemet (8) found enamel and dentin to possess an identical fluorine content, namely 0.05 per cent. Bowes and Murry (3) reported enamel to contain 0.02 per cent fluorine. They (4) later found mildly mottled teeth to contain 0.035 per cent fluorine in the enamel and 0.07 per cent in the dentin.

The Chemical Composition of Enamel and Dentin in High and Low Caries Areas in South Africa

“…The details are given in Table III. DISCUSSION The results of the chemical analysis of the enamel and dentin from the highand low-caries areas show no significant difference in the percentage CaO, MgO and P205. These results correspond to the findings of Armstrong and Brekhus (1937) and Murray (1935, 1936) as Table IV indicates. Although the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content of the drinking water and soils of the Knysna area are very low and in the Calvinia area very much higher, they do not appear to affect the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content of the enamel and dentin of people living in those areas.…”

Relations physiologiques entre le magnésum et l'os

“…Le squelette est le principal réservoir de magnésium de l'organisme et déjà les travaux de Kruse, Orent, McCollum (1932) et de Tufts et Greenberg (1938) (Blaxter et Sharman, 1955) (Armstrong et Brekhus, 1937 O'Dell, 1961 ;Walser, 1967 (Alfrey, Miller et Trow, 1974). Le magnésium osseux est moins mobilisable chez le rat adulte que chez le jeune.…”

Solubility of Enamel Protected by Sodium Fluoride and other Compounds

“…An analysis of a number of carious and non-carious teeth has shown that the teeth with the least amount of caries are those with the greatest amount of fluorine incorporated in their structure (8). Topical application of dilute solutions of sodium fluoride to the tooth surfaces has reduced tooth decay (9) even though analysis of similarly treated tooth surfaces did not show the presence of fluorine (10).…”