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Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants during tooth formation: molecular mechanisms and clinical findings
Serena Bianchi1, Sara Bernardi1,2, Manuel Belli1
1Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Abstract:
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) constitute a relevant part of environmental pollution. POPs are chemical compounds that persist for a long time in the environment, bio-accumulate in the human body and determine significant adverse consequences to human health. The characteristics of these substances are lipo-affinity, semi-volatility and resistance to the degradation processes. Results deriving from several different studies attest that exposure to the main classes of POPs results in multiple toxic effects on humans and experimental animal models. Among the various alterations caused by exposition to and bio-accumulation of POPs, there are abnormalities in tooth formation and related hard dental tissue structure, especially enamel. This review aimed to describe the close association between the exposure of these compounds during the development of the tooth germ and the occurrence of tooth structural anomalies. Indeed, structural defects of the enamel have as possible consequences higher susceptibility of the tooth to caries disease and higher fragility of the crown to the occlusal trauma.
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