Elemental composition of dental biologic tissues: study by means of different analytical techniques

The present study determined the organic and inorganic composition of human enamel and dentin. The instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively-coupled plasma spectrometer, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis applied were and performed in the Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN) and Elemental Analysis in the Department of Chemistry of the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. The coronal dentin and enamel were separated from dentin mechanically (1) and by wear (2). The analyses were effective and led to the identification of the main elements present in enamel and dentin: Ca, Na, Cl, Zn, P, Mg, N, C, H, O. There was no contamination of samples of enamel or dentin in either separation technique; however, with separation technique 1, lower percentages of mainly Ca (7.25%) and O (15.16%) components were detected in dentin compared with technique 2.