Open AccessNuclear reaction applied to fluorine depth profiles in human dental tissues
Author(s) -
L. Torrisi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
polish journal of medical physics and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1898-0309
pISSN - 1425-4689
DOI - 10.2478/pjmpe-2019-0026
Subject(s) - premolar , molar , fluorine , enamel paint , proton , dentistry , dental enamel , materials science , chemistry , radiochemistry , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
The nuclear reaction 19 F(p, αγ) 16 O is presented as a valid method to measure the fluorine content in the first superficial layers of teeth. The analysis is performed in-vitro in extracted teeth, both healthy, fluorotic and decayed. It is performed irradiating the tooth with an energetic proton beam and analyzing the emitted high energy alpha particles. The quantitative analysis is performed comparing results with that of a standard sample at a known concentration. The depth profile of fluorine has a maximum content in the first superficial layers. The average concentrations in healthy enamel are of the order of 2 mg/g; it is of about 10 mg/g in fluorotic teeth, and below 0.1 mg/g in decayed teeth. The concentration in the dentine is about 50% lower than in the enamel and the concentrations decrease going from incisors to premolar and to molar teeth. Many results and a literature comparison are presented and discussed.