Incorporation of magnesium into rat dental enamel and its influence on crystallization

The incorporation of magnesium into the enamel of immature rats was studied by chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction. Magnesium solutions were injected subcutaneously and later intra-orally into growing rats. Increased magnesium was detected in the enamel at the late developmental stage, and a delay in enamel mineralization resulted from increased magnesium uptake. Incisal enamel from the Mg-injected rats had significant line-broadening on X-ray diffraction, characteristic of poorly crystallized enamel.