Distribution of fluoride in the cementum of human deciduous canines.

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to determine the fluoride distribution in human deciduous cementum. Ten pairs of sound deciduous canines, extracted from children aged 6-9 years, were examined. The teeth were sectioned, and specimens of cementum were removed from the buccal or lingual aspect of the sections. Samples were removed sequentially by abrasion, from the cementum surface to the cementum-dentine junction, and their fluoride content determined as described earlier. The concentrations of fluoride were highest at or near the cementum surface and decreased towards the interior of the tissue. Concentrations and patterns of fluoride distribution were characteristic of the individual subjects. The distribution patterns of fluoride in the contralateral teeth from the same subject were also fairly similar.