The Effect of Age and Gender on Calcium, Phosphorus, and Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio in the Roots of Permanent Teeth

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate quantitatively the effect of age and gender on calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus ratio in the roots of permanent teeth. Methods: Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) mass fractions as well as Ca/P mass fraction ratio were estimated in intact tooth root(s) samples from apparently healthy humans, 38 women and 46 men, aged from 16 to 55 years. For Ca and P mass fractions measurements, instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides was used. Results: Mean values (mean ± standard error of mean, on dry mass basis) for the investigated parameters in two age groups (16-35 and 36-55 years) of females were: Ca 300 ± 12 g/kg, P 163 ± 7 g/kg, Ca/P ratio 1.85 ± 0.07 and Ca 277 ± 8 g/kg, P 145 ± 4 g/kg, Ca/P ratio 1.94 ± 0.06, respectively. The investigated parameters in the same age groups of males were: Ca 266 ± 13 g/kg, P 143 ± 7 g/kg, Ca/P ratio 1.88 ± 0.04 and Ca 278 ± 10 g/kg, P 152 ± 6 g/kg, Ca/P ratio 1.84 ± 0.04, respectively. The mean values for Ca, P and Ca/P ratio in the tooth root(s) were within a very wide range of reference data for dentin and close to their median. Conclusions: A tendency for reduced Ca and P mass fraction in roots of female teeth after 35 years of age as well as for raised Ca mass fraction in female tooth root(s) up to 35 years of age as compared to male was observed.