Effect of 1-p-bromotetramisole on mineralization of hamster tooth germs in vitro: a light and electron microscopic study.

In culture, 10(-3)M 1-p-bromotetramisole (1-pBTM) inhibited mineralization of in vitro secreted enamel matrix in two-day old neonatal hamster first maxillary molar tooth germs. In contrast, in control tooth germs cultured without the inhibitor, new enamel and dentin matrices were secreted and subsequently mineralized in vitro. It is suggested that the arrested enamel matrix mineralization in vitro is a result of reduced phosphate uptake due to alkaline phosphatase inhibition by 1-pBTM. In addition, 1-pBTM induced accumulation of secretory granules in odontoblasts and ameloblasts, but not in the other cells. This is probably a specific effect of the inhibitor on these cells due to alkaline phosphatase inhibition.