Paramagnetic and crystallographic effects of low temperature ashing on human bone and tooth enamel.

Low temperature ashing by excited gas (LTA) causes crystallographic and paramagnetic alterations of the human bone and tooth enamel mineral. On the one hand, LTA induces variations of the alpha lattice parameter. These variations depend upon the nature of the gas used, but are little affected by its degree of excitation. Trapping of gas molecules in the crystal structure is demonstrated. On the other hand, LTA produces two preponderant paramagnetic centers in bone and enamel samples at 20 degrees C. Their inorganic origin clearly indicated. One of the two radicals has been identified as O3- (g1 = 2.002, g2 = 2.010, g3 = 2.016) and the other as (CO3-3 (parallel = 1.996, g = perpendicular 2.003). Variations of the alpha lattice parameter and trapping of paramagnetic gas species do not seem to be directly related.