Preliminary Investigation of Element Distribution in the Cementum Rings of Human Teeth Using Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy

Ronald R. Martin, University of Western Ontario
A. Arnold, University of Western Ontario
Andrew Nelson, University of Western Ontario
J. Francis, University of Western Ontario

Abstract

Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (ToF- SIMS) has been used to study the element distribution in the cementum region of two adult human teeth. The results are consistent with diagenetic changes in the organic components in one of the samples. In addition, lead of uncertain origin is also found in one specimen. In both cases Mg is enriched in the dentine relative to the cementum and there is evidence for leaching of mobile species such as sodium.