Effect of mobile phones as a magnetic field on the microhardness of human teeth

Abstract

To investigate the effect of radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted from 900 MHz mobile phones on the enamel and cementum microhardness of human teeth. Methods A number of sources emit electromagnetic fields especially radiofrequencies are growing rapidly in the world we live today. A total of 32 freshly extracted human premolar teeth were prepared for the study group. A generator which produces 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation was used in this study to represent exposure of global systems for mobile communication (GSM). Teeth were exposed to the radiation for 2 h per day (7 days a week) for 12 months. Digital micro-Vickers hardness tester (Wilson Wolpert Europe BV, 401 MVD, Netherlands) fitted with a Vickers diamond and a 200 N load was used to make indentations in the enamel and cementum surfaces. Data were analysed using SPSS 16.0 software. Paired sample t test was used (p\0.05). Results The mean baseline microhardness in enamel (165.82 ± 56.63) was found to be lower than after exposure (163.80 ± 24.53). However, difference between baseline and after exposure were not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.855). The mean value of baseline cementum surface was 41.15 ± 13.81 and after radiation was 26.16 ± 8.13. There were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-radiation in cementum (p = 0.000). Conclusions Despite this result of this study, it can be considered that long term exposure of 900 MHz radiofrequencies emitted from mobile phones may decrease the microhardness of teeth.