A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of Disturbances in the Developing Rat Molar Induced by Cyclophosphamide

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the effect of cyclophosphamide (Cy) on molar development in 18 Sprague-Dawley rats from 15 to 48 days of age after birth. Doses of 30 mg/kg body weight of Cy dissolved in 1 ml 0.9% NaCl were given to the rats at 10 and 13 days of age. Eighteen control rats had injections of 1 ml 0.9% NaCl at the same ages. The most obvious changes in the experimental teeth were found in the developing roots of the first and second molars and in both the crown and roots of the third molar. The roots of the first and second molars were short and showed apical closure in the experimental rats. In addition to the disturbances in crown and root formation, the third molars were also significantly reduced in total size as compared with the third molars in the control rats.

Long-term Effects of Chemotherapy on Dental Status of Children Cancer Survivors

“…Chemotherapeutic agents cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin are known to interfere with dental development after cessation of treatment in rats [20,21]. Medication with the antracyclines and platina agents disturb dentin matrix secretion and collagen fibril formation and cause short, thin, tapered roots [22][23][24].…”

Association of cyclophosphamide use with dental developmental defects and salivary gland dysfunction in recipients of childhood antineoplastic therapy

“…Several animal models and in vitro studies have demonstrated dose-dependent dental disturbances caused by cyclophosphamide, primarily on the continually growing rat incisor. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Cyclophosphamide administered in growing rats resulted in shortened roots and reduced crown size of molars. It was shown that the roots of the rat molars rarely reached two-thirds of the normal root length, accompanied by closure of root apices.…”

“…It was shown that the roots of the rat molars rarely reached two-thirds of the normal root length, accompanied by closure of root apices. 35 It was suggested that cyclophosphamide induced root shortening by disturbing the cells in Hertwig's root sheath and that early apical closure occurred due to formation of osteodentin. 36 Clinical demonstrations of the dental effects of cyclophosphamide (or chemotherapy alone) are scarce.…”

Disturbed root development of permanent teeth after pediatric stem cell transplantation

“…Studies using objective measurements to quantify the developmental aberrations are rare. Area measurements of dental crowns and/or roots, ratios of root and crown areas,14, 23, 28 or root‐crown (R/C) ratios based on tooth length measurements25 have been used. Calcification of permanent teeth begins at the time or soon after the birth, taking approximately 15 years when the third molars are excluded 29, 30.…”