Figure 2.

Developmental defects in Hyp mouse dentin are most severe at 45 dpc and are partially corrected in adulthood. Widths of dentin and predentin for all ages were measured at a site 75μm apical to CEJ (n = 3). For each bar, the combination of black (mineralized dentin) and white (predentin) represents the total dentin width. Means ± SD show decreased total dentin width and an increased proportion of predentin in Hyp versus WT mouse molars. Statistical analysis of total dentin width for all three age groups revealed a significant (P <0.05) decrease in Hyp versus age-matched WT samples, indicating developmental defects in Hyp mouse dentin. A significant (P <0.05) difference in the predentin/dentin ratio in Hyp versus WT was also revealed at 33 and 45 dpc, indicating a considerable lag in dentin mineralization in Hyp mice. However, the large predentin/dentin ratio in the Hyp mouse diminished by 96 dpc (P = 2.2 compared to WT), indicating some recovery in dentin mineralization in adulthood.