THE EFFECT OF AGE AT EXPOSURE UPON THE RADIATION INDUCED DENTAL DEFECT IN RATS
Abstract
The effect of age at irradiation upon the severity and temporal distribution of the radiation-induced dental lesion was investigated. Male rats were irradiated with a high sublethal dose (215 rads) of fast neutrons at 31, 110, or 619 days of age. The typical lesion (a chalky zone extending the full width of the tooth) was observed in the exposed shafts of the incisors beginning in the second month post irradiation. While all animals exhibited the lesion in all incisors, the character of the lesion and its time sequence varied markedly with age at irradiation. The severity of the radiation effect was greater in the youngest group, as indicated by a wider lesion and a greater incidence of animals with fractured incisors (68% vs 11 or 12% for the older groups). The time sequence of appearance, duration of visibility, and disappearance by attrition at the occlusal edge occurred earlier in younger animals. However, these temporal differences appear related primarily to anatomic and physiologic factors associated with age per se rather than to differential intensity of radiation damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0403646
Entities
People
- D. C. Jones
- D. J. Kimeldorf
- T. J. Castanera
Organizations
- Northwestern University