Reduction in dentine apposition in rat molars by a high-sucrose diet.

The effects of high-sucrose and high-starch diets on dentine apposition were examined. One group of young Wistar rats (20 rats) received a high-sucrose (43%) diet; for the high-starch group (16 rats), sucrose was replaced with potato flour. The control group (18 rats) received standard laboratory rat food. The onset of dentine formation was marked with tetracycline. After 5 weeks lower molars were sectioned sagittally, and the areas of the dentine apposition and those of the dentinal caries were quantified. Dentine apposition was independent of sex. The high-sucrose diet reduced dentine apposition and induced caries progression. A negative correlation between dentine apposition and caries progression in the molars was found. This study suggests that a high-sucrose diet itself reduces primary dentine apposition.