Trace Elements in Dental Enamel Can Be a Potential Factor of Advanced Tooth Wear

Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth and has no ability to regenerate after tooth eruption. Its mineral composition is likely to be responsible for the enamel resistance to any agents that appear in oral cavity. The objective of this study was to compare the content of Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu in specific layers of healthy and worn tooth enamel. Three groups of dental enamel samples were analyzed. The amounts of Ca, Mg and Zn in the enamel bioptates were established using atomic absorption spectroscopy after an acid biopsy technique had been applied. The concentration of Cu was established using an electrothermic method with an AA spectrometer. The analysis was carried out using parametric tests (the Pearson's linear correlation coefficient and the t-test for the correlation coefficient). Results: A statistically significant difference was confirmed between the mean amount of zinc in severely worn dentition and all the layers in vitro and in vivo. Strong positive relationships between magnesium and zinc contents were shown at some depths. A significant difference was registered between the amount of copper in the severely worn dentitions compared to the superficial layer of the healthy teeth in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: It appears that zinc metabolism may play an important role in enamel formation and may influence enamel's resistance to wear after tooth eruption.