FLUORIDE CONTENT OF BUCCAL SURFACE ENAMEL FROM CARIES-FREE MEDIEVAL SUBJECTS

Surface enamel biopsies (244) were taken from the cervical areas and nearer the centre of the crown of the buccal surfaces of maxillary teeth from 18 adult, caries-free mediaeval skulls. Fluoride content of the samples from the cervical sites was higher than that from non-cervical sites to a statistically significant extent for central incisors, lateral incisors and second molars. Despite the absence of caries and no exposure to topical fluoride applications, the fluoride values were similar to those previously reported for present-day 14-year old children who had high caries-prevalence and were regularly exposed to topical fluoride treatments. © 1979.