Biomaterial Database

Characterization of fluorosed human enamel by color reflectance, ultrastructure, and elemental composition. 1995

N J Giambro, and K Prostak, and P K Den Besten

Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, Mass., USA.

Mature fluorosed human enamel has been described as a subsurface enamel hypomineralization, with porosity increasing relative to the degree of fluorosis. The purpose of the current study was to quantitatively measure the color of the fluorosed enamel by light reflectance, and to further characterize the enamel by scanning electron microscopy. Teeth with varying degrees of fluorosis were obtained and divided in groups of mild, moderate and severe fluorosis using Dean's index for fluorosis. The color of the labial enamel surface was measured using a Minolta Chroma Meter CR241 (Minolta, Ramsey, N.J., USA). The teeth were further characterized for elemental composition using an energy-dispersive spectrometer, and imaged in both secondary and backscattered electron modes. The results of this study showed that the moderately and severely fluorosed enamel contained an uneven distribution of areas which were more electron-absorbent with a relatively increased carbon content. The changes in the physical characteristics of the teeth could be quantitated by measurements of light reflectance. The color of the teeth was significantly different between groups, with all groups significantly different than normal.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D009050	Fluorosis, Dental	A chronic endemic form of ENAMEL HYPOMINERALIZATION caused by drinking water with a high fluorine content during the time of tooth formation, and characterized by defective calcification that gives a white chalky appearance to the enamel, which gradually undergoes brown discoloration. (Jablonski's Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p286)	Dental Fluorosis,Mottled Enamel,Mottled Teeth,Dental Fluoroses,Fluoroses, Dental,Enamel, Mottled,Mottled Enamels,Teeth, Mottled
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D010758	Phosphorus	A non-metal element that has the atomic symbol P, atomic number 15, and atomic weight 31. It is an essential element that takes part in a broad variety of biochemical reactions.	Black Phosphorus,Phosphorus-31,Red Phosphorus,White Phosphorus,Yellow Phosphorus,Phosphorus 31,Phosphorus, Black,Phosphorus, Red,Phosphorus, White,Phosphorus, Yellow
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002244	Carbon	A nonmetallic element with atomic symbol C, atomic number 6, and atomic weight [12.0096; 12.0116]. It may occur as several different allotropes including DIAMOND; CHARCOAL; and GRAPHITE; and as SOOT from incompletely burned fuel.	Carbon-12,Vitreous Carbon,Carbon 12,Carbon, Vitreous
D003116	Color	The visually perceived property of objects created by absorption or reflection of specific wavelengths of light.	Colors
D003124	Colorimetry	Any technique by which an unknown color is evaluated in terms of standard colors. The technique may be visual, photoelectric, or indirect by means of spectrophotometry. It is used in chemistry and physics. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D003731	Dental Caries	Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp.	Caries, Dental,Carious Lesions,Dental Cavities,Dental Cavity,Dental Decay,Dental White Spots,Carious Dentin,Decay, Dental,Dental White Spot,White Spot, Dental,White Spots, Dental,Carious Dentins,Carious Lesion,Cavities, Dental,Cavity, Dental,Dentin, Carious,Dentins, Carious,Lesion, Carious,Lesions, Carious,Spot, Dental White,Spots, Dental White
D003743	Dental Enamel	A hard thin translucent layer of calcified substance which envelops and protects the dentin of the crown of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body and is almost entirely composed of calcium salts. Under the microscope, it is composed of thin rods (enamel prisms) held together by cementing substance, and surrounded by an enamel sheath. (From Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p286)	Enamel,Enamel Cuticle,Dental Enamels,Enamel, Dental,Enamels, Dental,Cuticle, Enamel,Cuticles, Enamel,Enamel Cuticles,Enamels