Effects of serum phosphate level on formation of incisor dentine in hypophosphatemic mice.

The effects of serum phosphate level on the formation of incisor dentine were investigated in hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mice fed a diet high in calcium and phosphorus (high Ca/P diet). Feeding a high Ca/P diet for more than 10 days resulted in an increase in the serum phosphate level in Hyp mice to one similar to that of normal mice. Lower incisors were cut transversely at the centre of the length of the incisor, a point that had taken approximately 40 days to be reached from the start of dentine formation in Hyp mice. Transverse views of the incisors showed a triangle-like outline in Hyp mice fed a control diet, while the outline became rounded in Hyp mice fed the high Ca/P diet for more than 40 days. In Hyp mice fed the high Ca/P diet for 40 days interglobular dentine was still observed and fluorescent lines produced by tetracycline showed a diffuse and wavy pattern in incisor dentine; however, interglobular dentine became indistinct and fluorescent lines showed a relatively smooth pattern in the incisor dentine of Hyp mice fed the diet for more than 60 days.