Effects of fluoride on bone in chronic renal failure.

Fluoride is concentrated in the bones of patients with chronic renal failure when fluoridated water is used during hemodialysis. Excessive osteoid is produced that is not normally mineralized and severe osteomalacia occurs. Electron microscopical examination of iliac crest bone biopsy specimens from four patients suggests that fluoride induces the synthesis of disarrayed collagen by the activated osteoblasts. Collagen fibers were found to be normal in size and in axial periodicity.