“…3 of this reference shows that a maximum Cu hotspot concentration of 4 mg g À1 was reported in areas where there was no dental amalgam. The average concentrations over the discoloured areas (results to be published) were similar to those reported in the comment by Guzzi & Pigatto. Moreover, as reported in our paper (Harris et al, 2008b), the X-ray fluorescence also determines the concentration of other elements, such as Ag (see Fig. 4 of Harris et al, 2008b), and these metals in the area of discolouration are consistent with those in bulk dentine found by them.…”