FURTHER STUDIES IN MINERAL METABOLISM OF HUMAN TEETH BY THE USE OF RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS

¹ Walter G. Zoller Memorial Dental Clinic and the Department of Anatomy, University of Chicago

1. It has been shown that the enamel protects the dentin from an intake of mineral substances (phosphorus) from the saliva. When part of the protecting enamel is missing, as is the case in carious teeth, the dentin takes up substances directly from the saliva.

2. The intake of minerals from the saliva into the enamel of a cariesfree tooth is very small. This intake becomes about one hundred times larger when part of the enamel is missing. Therefore, an appreciable intake of mineral substances by the enamel from the saliva takes place only if the substances can enter from the inner surface of the enamel.

3. In substances administered by mouth, the intake of minerals by the enamel of a normal tooth takes place to the greatest extent through pulp and dentin, while the direct intake of the substance from the outer surface of the enamel is comparably small.

4. Periodontitis seems to decrease the exchange of mineral substances through the cementum. In pulpless teeth, periodontitis also decreases the exchange of minerals in the dentin. These results indicate that the exchange of minerals through the periodontal membrane decreases as a result of periodontitis.

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