Biomaterial Database

A quantitative microradiographic study of mineral content of supragingival and subgingival dental calculus. 1984

J Friskopp, and G Isacsson

This study was undertaken to determine the distribution and concentration of mineral in supragingival and subgingival dental calculus. Extracted incisors and premolars with attached dental calculus were used. After fixation the specimens were dehydrated and embedded in methylmethacrylate and 100-micrometers-thick ground sections were made. Microradiographs were produced and the mineral content in the sections was determined photometrically, using an aluminum step-wedge as a reference system. The distribution of the mineral varied considerably within the specimens and between different specimens. Supragingival calculus appeared heterogeneous and often stratified, containing areas that seemed to be non-calcified. The average mineral content was 37% by volume. By contrast subgingival calculus appeared homogeneously calcified, with an average mineral content of 58%. No differences in mineral content between surface areas and portions close to the tooth were seen. This indicates that once the calculus is formed no changes occur in the mineral content, i.e. no maturation occurs with age. Local variations in mineral content within the calculus might be explained by periodic differences in the fluid environment of the microbial plaque.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007180	Incisor	Any of the eight frontal teeth (four maxillary and four mandibular) having a sharp incisal edge for cutting food and a single root, which occurs in man both as a deciduous and a permanent tooth. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p820)	Incisors
D008852	Microradiography	Production of a radiographic image of a small or very thin object on fine-grained photographic film under conditions which permit subsequent microscopic examination or enlargement of the radiograph at linear magnifications of up to several hundred and with a resolution approaching the resolving power of the photographic emulsion (about 1000 lines per millimeter).	Microradiographies
D010510	Periodontal Diseases	Pathological processes involving the PERIODONTIUM including the gum (GINGIVA), the alveolar bone (ALVEOLAR PROCESS), the DENTAL CEMENTUM, and the PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT.	Parodontosis,Pyorrhea Alveolaris,Disease, Periodontal,Diseases, Periodontal,Parodontoses,Periodontal Disease
D003728	Dental Calculus	Abnormal concretion or calcified deposit that forms around the teeth or dental prostheses.	Tartar,Calculus, Dental
D005881	Gingiva	Oral tissue surrounding and attached to TEETH.	Gums,Interdental Papilla,Papilla, Interdental,Gum
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000042	Absorption	The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.
D001641	Bicuspid	One of the eight permanent teeth, two on either side in each jaw, between the canines (CUSPID) and the molars (MOLAR), serving for grinding and crushing food. The upper have two cusps (bicuspid) but the lower have one to three. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p822)	Premolar,Bicuspids,Premolars
D014131	Trace Elements	A group of chemical elements that are needed in minute quantities for the proper growth, development, and physiology of an organism. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Biometal,Biometals,Trace Element,Trace Mineral,Trace Minerals,Element, Trace,Elements, Trace,Mineral, Trace,Minerals, Trace