Abstract
Quantitative analyses of tooth elements have been conducted by various methods and have provided data of considerably accurate analytical value [1-3]. However, with the previous methods of analysis, it was difficult to compare the histological findings with the results of analysis of the same tooth regions.
With the X-ray microanalyzer (XMA) recently introduced for practical use, measurement of elements can be made at a specific microscopic area of ground section surfaces of tooth tissues [4, 5]. It is, however, not always possible to obtain analytical values as accurate as in chemical analysis.
With the use of XMA, the authors studied the quantitative patterns of Ca, P and Mg contained in the dentin between the pulp chamber and abraded surfaces occurring at the cervical region of a tooth. These values were compared with the patterns in the dentin at the corresponding site of a tooth without such abrasion.
