Tooth mineralisation relative to somatic growth retardation in the rat.

The morphology and sequence of mineral deposition on the crowns of rat molar teeth have been investigated by means of contact radiography relative to their postnatal development following a period of somatic retardation induced by nutritional suppression. Differences in deposition appeared 3 days after birth in the first molar crown and continued until day 7. Second molar differences manifested between day 4 and 5 reaching a comparable level by day 10. Third molar mineralisation appeared identical in both control and experimental specimens indicating that they were not sensitive to the influence of direct maternal control since lactation at the time of mineralisation was being superceded by general food sources. The slowing of molar crown growth is not regarded as a mineral deficit but basically related to the organic matrix and protein and energy deficiency.