Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 945-947, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Surface enamel fluoride concentrations of different types of human teeth in a high- and near-optimal-fluoride area
S. R. Grobler, A. J. Louw and R. J. Rossouw
The surface enamel (approximately 4 micron) fluoride concentrations of
different tooth types (11, 21, 22, 23, 24) were determined in
12-13-year-old children who were life-long residents in a naturally high
(3.70 ppm) and in a near optimal (0.62 ppm) fluoride area. Enamel biopsies
were taken by means of an acid-etch procedure, and the fluoride levels were
measured with an adapted fluoride-ion-selective electrode. The enamel
fluoride concentrations were related to the fluoride levels of the drinking
water, and it appeared that the enamel fluoride concentrations of the
different tooth types (except for the pre-molars) were associated with the
length of the pre-eruptive period. In general, for both areas, the mean
enamel fluoride concentrations increased from the central incisor to the
lateral incisor and were found to be the highest in the canine, while the
mean fluoride content of the first pre-molar nearly equaled that of the
central incisor. No statistically significant differences (p greater than
0.05) were found between the enamel fluoride concentrations of the
different tooth types or the etching depths, from different sexes.
