Effects of methylmercury chloride on rat incisor odontoblasts and dentinogenesis.

Methylmercury chloride, a well-known nerve cell toxicant, was administered to 40 rats in 2 groups, in doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg. Histomorphologic investigation of maxillary incisors after 2 and 4 days revealed granular and hydropic changes in parts of the odontoblastema. Deposition of interglobular dentin was seen after 7 and 11 days. The most vulnerable cells seemed to be the mantle dentin-producing odontoblasts, and the alterations found are probably due to interference with the rough endoplasmic reticulum.