Neutron activation analysis of Ca,Cl, K,Mg, Mn,Na, P,and Sr contents in the crowns of human permanent teeth

The effect of age and gender on chemical element contents in intact crowns of permanent teeth of 84 apparently healthy 15–55 year old women (n = 38) and men (n = 46) was investigated. Mass fractions of Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Sr in crowns were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis using short-lived radionuclides. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for female and male combined were (on dry weight basis): 350 ± 5 g/kg, 2920 ± 150 mg/kg, 839 ± 80 mg/kg, 4880 ± 240 mg/kg, 3.20 ± 0.30 mg/kg, 6240 ± 140 mg/kg, 181 ± 4 g/kg, and 293 ± 24 mg/kg respectively. A statistically significant decrease of Sr (P ≤ 0.01) and increase of Na (P ≤ 0.01) content in the tooth crowns with age was found for women. Sex-related comparison did not show any differences.