Iron uptake by teeth and bones: a Mossbauer effect study.

Iron uptake (Fe2+ and Fe3+) by bones, teeth, and dental enamel was studied, in vivo and in vitro, by chemical, powder X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy methods. Atomic absorption tests have revealed the permanent uptake of small amounts of iron by dental enamel soaked in vitro in solutions containing Fe2+. Mossbauer spectra show that the iron attached to the dental enamel stays at the same valency it had in the soaking solutions. Mossbauer measurements of in vivo samples show that iron is present in bones and teeth mainly as Fe3+ (10% Fe2+ in teeth), in compound similar to FeOOH. Iron is released or exchanged from teeth at a much lower rate than from bones.