Nuclear reaction applied to fluorine depth profiles in human dental tissues

The nuclear reaction 19F(p, αγ)16O 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.