抄録
When the cathode ray luminescence of samples of varied types of teeth taken from alveola suffering from pyorrhea and of tartars accumulated on such teeth was examined, it was found that not only the crowns of the affected teeth, but also the roots exposed above the aveola and the root surfaces touching the inflammatory granulation tissue gave always bright red (27 na. 7) or reddish (27 ea. 7) luminescence, due to the quantity of the trace metal element Bi present. The special selective action of the epithelial cells due to the disturbed metabolism of mineral substances accompanying their retrogressive degeneration, the pathogenic factor of pyorrhea, is responsible for such results.
Inflammation induced by mastication pressure and by bacilli and tartars may be mensioned as the probable factors of such disturbances.
The presence of the trace mineral Bi seems to play an especially important part in causing precipitation of dystrophic calcium compounds.
