Barton, NS, Van Swol, RL. Periodontally Diseased vs. Normal Roots as Evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Probe Analysis. J. Periodontol. 58:634, 1987.

This study was to determine the distribution of elements in the cementum and determine whether there was a difference between disease and non-diseased roots. Twelve human teeth each from different patients were used. Category I included six periodontally diseased teeth which had periodontal pockets of at least 6mm and minimum of 35% bone loss. Category 2 had six normal teeth which were extracted for orthodontic reasons. Two consecutive cross sections per tooth were secured and teeth were prepared for electron microscopic evaluation. In addition two separate analyses were conducted. The values for each element were compared between each group. Photomicrographs were obtained from some specimens after coating with a gold palladium alloy to help in orientation and to compare surface characteristics with previous studies. Results indicated that:

1. Consistent and repeatable qualitative electron probe analyses can be performed on human teeth with minimal specimen preparation.
2. Minerals consistently found were P, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg and Na. They were in similar concentration throughout the area analyzed.
3. Mg and Cu showed higher values in the non-diseased teeth.
4. There was no differences in concentration for Ca, P, Zn, and Na between foots exposed to a periodontal pocket and non-diseased roots.

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