Determination of heavy metal concentrations in tooth samples collected from people of different age groups living in Rize province

In this study, 42 unfilled permanent human tooth samples were taken from different age and sex groups for rotten, periodontal, prosthetic and orthodontic reasons. The content of some heavy metals in tooth samples were determined by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry) spectrometry. Heavy metal concentrations in female tooth samples for Fe: (17,17-147,83) µg g-1, for Ni: (0,17-6) µg g-1, for Cu: (0,33-15,17) µg g-1, for Zn: (75,66-383,17) µg g-1, for Cd: (0,17-4) µg g-1, for Pb: (0,33-42,66) µg g-1, Heavy metal concentrations in male tooth samples for Fe: (18,30-78,33) µg g-1, for Ni: (0,5-8,5) µg g-1, for Cu: (0,67-15,66) µg g-1, for Zn: (115,34-363,67) µg g-1, for Cd: (0,33-5,67) µg g-1, for Pb: (0,17-57,66) µg g-1 have been detected. Although there is a statistical difference between Fe and Ni concentration values and age groups in female teeth samples (p< 0,05), There was no statistically significant difference between Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb concentrations and age groups (p> 0,05). Although there was a statistically significant difference between Zn concentration values and age groups in male tooth samples (p <0,05), There was no statistically significant between Fe, Ni, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations and age groups (p> 0,05).