Secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray microanalysis of hypomineralized enamel in human permanent first molars

Abstract

A common finding in Swedish children is hypomineralization in first molars of unknown cause. Little is known about the chemical composition of the disturbed enamel. The aim here was to analyse the concentration gradients for F, Cl, Na, Mg, K and Sr in hypomineralized enamel from 17 permanent molars by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry, to complete this analysis with an examination of the main matrix elements O, P and Ca by means of X-ray microanalysis, and to compare them with normal enamel. Hypomineralized enamel had a higher content of carbon and the calcium as well as the phosphorus concentration was lower than in normal enamel. The mean Ca/P ratio in hypomineralized areas was significantly lower (1.4) than in the adjacent normal enamel (1.8). The F content was highly variable in impaired enamel and higher than in normal, but close to the surface there was most often no difference between the two. Contents of Mg and K were slightly higher in hypomineralized areas, especially towards the surface. Also Na had a somewhat higher content toward the surface in defective enamel. Cl and Sr contents had negligible or no diversity in relation to the degree of mineralization.