Alimentary System

Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration

Narrative
Comment:
Fluoride toxicity is the most well characterized cause of odontoblast degeneration (Figure 1 and Figure 2, arrows). Odontoblast degeneration is characterized by decreased amounts of cytoplasm, decreased cell numbers, disorganization of the epithelial cell layers and lack of nuclear polarity in cells. It may be focal or diffuse. Degeneration of the odontoblasts affects their ability to produce dentin and may result in focal to diffuse dentin hypoplasia or aplasia, which causes variations in the thickness of the dentin. Published reports of such effects in mice are uncommon.
Recommendations:
Odontoblast degeneration should be diagnosed and graded based on the degree of degeneration and the number of odontoblasts affected.
References:

Alaluusua S, Lukinmaa PL, Pohjanvirta R, Unkila M, Tuomisto J. 1993. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin leads to defective dentin formation and pulpal perforation in rat incisor tooth. Toxicology 81:1 13.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8367879

Bucher JR, Hejtmancik MR, Toft JD, Persing RL, Eustis SL, Haseman JK. 1991. Results and conclusions of the National Toxicology Program’s rodent carcinogenicity studies with sodium fluoride. Int J Cancer 48:733-737.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2071234

Kiukkonen A, Viluksela M, Sahlberg C, Alaluusua S, Tuomisto JT, Tuomisto J, Lukinmaa PL. 2002. Response of the incisor tooth to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a dioxin-resistant and a dioxin sensitive rat strain. Toxicol Sci 69:482-489.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12377997

Kuijpers MHM, van de Kooij Aj, Slootwig PJ. 1996. The rat incisor in toxicologic pathology. Toxicol Pathol 24:346-360.

Full Text: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/24/3/346.full.pdf

Long PH, Leininger JR. 1999. Teeth. In: Pathology of the Mouse (Maronpot RR, ed). Cache River Press, St Louis, MO, 13-28.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm

Maurer JK, Cheng MC, Boysen BG, Squire RA, Strandberg JD, Weisbrode SE, Seymour JL, Anderson RL. 1993. Confounded carcinogenicity study of sodium fluoride in CD-1 mice. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 18:154-168.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8278638
  • Image of degeneration in the tooth from a male F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. The odontoblasts are small and disorganized (arrow).

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Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. The odontoblasts are small and disorganized (arrow).
Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study. The odontoblasts are small and disorganized (arrow).
Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The odontoblasts are small and disorganized (arrow).
Tooth, Odontoblast - Degeneration in a male F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The odontoblasts are small and disorganized (arrow).

Authors:

Linda H. Kooistra, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Pathologist
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Abraham Nyska, DVM, Diplomate ECVP, Fellow IATP
Expert in Toxicologic Pathology
Visiting Full Professor of Pathology
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Timrat Israel

Reviewers:

Joel R. Leininger, DVM, PhD
Senior Pathologist
MedImmune
Washington, DC

Amy Brix, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC