The effect of a magnesium deficient diet and cortisone on the growth of the rat incisor.

Incisors of Mg-deficient rats showed a marked inhibition of eruption and a decrease in mitoses of apical tissues. Cortisone administration resulted in some increase in eruption rate and cell division though these remained below the values of Mg-supplemented controls. An improvement in gross condition and a less severe histopathology of incisor tissues were also observed in cortisone-treated rats.