Formation and mineralization of murine molar roots with hypocalcaemia induced by a low-calcium diet and the changes after returning to a normal diet

Abstract

The purpose was to examine the formation and mineralization of molar roots in rats with hypocalcaemia, induced by a low-calcium diet and the changes after returning to a normal diet. Two-week-old male Wistar rats were fed a low-calcium diet (0.03% calcium) during the period when the first molar roots form and then a diet containing normal amounts of calcium (1.83% calcium) was restored. The blood calcium, the length and mineralization of the first upper molar roots, and the density of surrounding alveolar bone were measured, and the morphological and histological features of the roots examined. While the rats were fed the low-calcium diet, they had a significantly lower blood calcium than normal controls. Morphologically, the upper first molar roots were shorter and the predentine layer was thicker. The mineralization of dentine and the surrounding alveolar bone was significantly less than in the controls and no mineralization was detected in the thickened predentine. After a normal calcium diet had been restored, the blood calcium, thickness of dentine, alveolar bone density, and length of the roots caught up with the normal. In addition, hypomineralized dentine and interglobular dentine were observed. Subsequently, the mineralization of the dentine increased and the amount of interglobular dentine gradually decreased. These results suggest that in rats a low-calcium diet induces hypocalcaemia, causing the formation of interglobular dentine and hypomineralization of the dentine of the roots. Most physiological variables recovered completely with the return to a normal-calcium diet, although some hypomineralization of the dentine remained.