A Microradiographic Interpretation of Abnormal Enamel Formation Induced by Subcutaneous Sodium Fluoride

Abstract

The subcutaneous injection of NaF (50mg/Kilo of body weight) causes a disturbance in enamel formation at the incremental surface of the enamel present at the time the injection was givea This creates a line in the enamel which persists and moves forward through the stages of matrix formation and is ultimately found in mature enamel. The line showed no staining reaction. The line in the matrix contained no mineral and also showed a hypermineralized zone on the dentinal side of the initial response. This absence of mineralization can be interpreted as a disorganization (the absence of staining would indicate an actual decrease) of the matrix resulting in the absence of effective seeding sites.