The influence of fluoride on the mineralization of rat teeth

This work investigated the effect of fluoride on the mineralization of rat dentine using tetracycline-labelling and microradiography. The combination of techniques allowed the effect of fluoride on the hard tissue to be precisely correlated with time. The administration of a high dosage of fluoride (250 ppm F− in the drinking water) was shown to affect mineralization of the growing rat tooth. This effect occurred within hours after administration of fluoride.