Comparison of fluorine level in the tissues of healthy teeth and teeth with decay process

The aim of the study was to examine quantitative fluorine content in tooth tissues with the decay process, tissues of teeth without decay and tissues with diseases different than those of decay origin. It has been found that in the examined teeth decay process the average fluorine content in hard tissues amounted to 235.6 ppm of fluorine and it was lower than in healthy teeth (304.8 ppm) extracted for orthodontic or periodontological reasons, whereas the highest fluorine content--383.5 ppm--was found in teeth with diseases of non-decay etiology. Analyzing particular teeth groups depending on the age of the patients, it was observed that the fluorine level is higher in the teeth received from younger patients, especially in the group of healthy teeth and teeth with wedge defects. Susceptibility of tooth enamel to dissolution was estimated by the CRT test with the use of discs impregnated with crystal violet (hexamethylene-4 hydrochloride of fuchsin) with the range of colour change from yellow and green to violet and blue at ph 0.1-1.5. The lengthening of the time of reaction in this test testified to lower acid sensitivity of tissues and at the same time to harder demineralization of enamel, e.g. in the process of decay. Longer time of reaction was observed in teeth with higher indicated fluorine content.