Incorporation of tetracycline into impeded and unimpeded mandibular incisors of the mouse.

Twenty-four hours after a tetracycline injection, the unimpeded, and more rapidly erupting, mouse mandibular incisor contained 20% to 44% more tetracycline than the contralateral, uncut incisor. It was concluded that the increased tetracycline incorporation reflected a higher rate of mineralization associated with faster tooth formation in the unimpeded tooth. By measuring the amount of tetracycline which became incorporated at different times after an incisor was shortened, it was possible to investigate an early stage of the response of the incisor to cutting. A significant increase in the capacity of the tooth to incorporate tetracycline was detectable 4 h after shortening the tooth, and this was maximal after another 4 h.