Dental Calculus Composition. 1. Supragingival Calculus: Ash, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, and Density

Abstract

Individual samples of supragingival dental calculus from humans exhibited a wide range in mineral content. The Ca and P content of dry calculus ranged from 26-32% and 14-17%, respectively. The mean Na content of the ash increased from 2% in highly calcified to 4% in less calcified pieces. The mean Ca:P ratio (wt.) in the ash was 1.75 and in the calculus 1.803. Calculus from the buccal of the upper molars contained more mineral than that from the lingual of the lower anterior teeth, except in very heavy calculus producers, where the calculus from both regions was equally calcified. The mineral content of calculus from the lingual of the lower anterior teeth did not on the age of the subject or on the age of deposits after 1 mo.