In vivo incorporation of tetracycline in the teeth of man

Tetracyclines administered to growing children localize in dentine of forming teeth in sufficient amounts to give them a bright yellow colour. Fluorescence microscopy under ultra-violet light imparts a golden-yellow colour to areas of dentine stained yellow by the antibiotic. Fluorescence is associated with a typical globular pattern of calcification in dentine and cementum. Although disturbance of dentine mineralization is demonstrable in the form of large interglobular areas these are not associated with the tetracycline bands per se but are probably localized manifestations of chronic systemic illness. Enamel does not fluoresce when viewed directly along the ultra-violet beam.