Combined PIXE and optical microscopy characterization of calcium compounds in dental calculus

Abstract A combined PIXE and optical microscopy approach was applied to examine the dental calculus of patients with periodontal disease. PIXE was performed with the Bucharest 3 MV Tandetron with 3 MeV protons and a HPGe detector, using hydroxyapatite (HA) and other standards. Sections 30  µm thick were prepared and observed using polarization microscopy and histochemical techniques. Both methods revealed the heterogeneous nature of dental calculus. Two main types (I and II) were postulated based on Ca/P ratios (p