Biochemical composition of carious dentin and different layers of sound dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P-i) and fluoride (F) in carious dentin and in different layers of sound dentin. The samples examined were 52 permanent teeth (26 sound and 26 carious), which were subjected to two experiments to assess the mineral content of: 1) two layers (internal and external) of sound dentin and 2) sound and carious dentin. Ca and P-i were analyzed using a colorimetric method with arsenazo III (C22H18As2N4O14S2) and molybdate reagents, and F was analyzed using a specific electrode. A non-parametric test, the Mann-Whitney test, was used to verify differences between groups. Sound dentin showed a higher concentration of fluoride in the internal layer than in the external layer (P = 0.03), but no inter-layer differences in Ca or P-i concentration were evident. Lower concentrations of Ca, P-i and F were observed in carious dentin than in sound dentin (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the internal layer of sound dentin has a higher fluoride content than the external layer, and that carious dentin has lower concentrations of Ca, P-i and F than sound dentin.