Copper in human subgingival calculus

Abstract

– The Cu concentration as well as the Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb, Zn, and F concentrations were determined in subgingival calculus and the relation of Cu to Zn, Ca, Mg and Fe described. Samples of human subgingival calculus of 60 pieces from 60 subjects were ashed in an acid solution and the cation concentrations were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The F content was analyzed with an ion‐selective electrode. The data was analyzed using the multiple linear regression analysis. The mean ±SD of the Cu concentration in the subgingival calculus was 48.4 ±59.0 μg/g. Four elements, Zn, Ca, Fe and Mg, explained 41.1% of the Cu content. Zn explained 25.5% and the correlation was positive, whereas Ca (10.4%) had a negative correlation with the Cu content. The results showed such a high Cu content that it could affect the mineralization of calculus.

Microscopic X-ray fluorescence analysis of human dental calculus using synchrotron radiation

“…9 (the calculated correlation coefficient for subgingival calculus is 0.74) may indicate that both elements have a very similar behavior with respect to anionic groups in mineralized tissue. 31 An evidence of this relation was already obtained in powdered calculus on a set of thirty-four samples using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. 29 Due to the good linearity between Cu and Zn, the ratio Cu/Zn could be used as an indicator of anomalous growth of cells which seems to be often associated with changes in copper and zinc levels.…”

μX-ray fluorescence analysis of traces and calcium phosphate phases on tooth–tartar interfaces using synchrotron radiation

“…Previous works employing atomic absorption spectrometry [19,20] have showed that for bulk dental calculus, Zn and Cu concentrations have a linear correlation. As can be seen in Fig.…”