High levels of heavy metal accumulation in dental calculus of smokers: a pilot inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry study

E. Yaprak*, Yolcubal, A. Sinanoğlu, A. Doğrul-Demiray, E. Guzeldemir-Akcakanat, Marakoğlu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and Objective: Various trace elements, including toxic heavy metals, may exist in dental calculus. However, the effect of environmental factors on heavy metal composition of dental calculus is unknown. Smoking is a major environmental source for chronic toxic heavy metal exposition. The aim of this study is to compare toxic heavy metal accumulation levels in supragingival dental calculus of smokers and non-smokers. Material and Methods: A total of 29 supragingival dental calculus samples were obtained from non-smoker (n = 14) and smoker (n = 15) individuals. Subjects with a probability of occupational exposure were excluded from the study. Samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in terms of 26 metals and metalloids, including toxic heavy metals. Results: Toxic heavy metals, arsenic (p < 0.05), cadmium (p < 0.05), lead (p < 0.01), manganese (p < 0.01) and vanadium (p < 0.01) levels were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers. The levels of other examined elements were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the elementary composition of dental calculus may be affected by environmental factors such as tobacco smoke. Therefore, dental calculus may be utilized as a non-invasive diagnostic biological material for monitoring chronic oral heavy metal exposition. However, further studies are required to evaluate its diagnostic potential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-88
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Periodontal Research
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Funding

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study. This study was supported by Kocaeli University Scientific Research Projects Fund (2012-118HDP). The authors thank Tamer Tüzüner (Karadeniz Technical University) for his support with the statistical analysis.

FundersFunder number
Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi
Kocaeli Üniversitesi2012-118HDP

    Keywords

    • dental calculus
    • heavy metal accumulation
    • ICP-MS
    • smoking

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