Journal article

Publication year: 1998

Pages: 431-442

Journal: Journal of Anatomy

Volume number: 193

Issue number: 3

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1998.19330431.x

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 

A macroscopic, microscopic and scanning electron microscope study was
performed on the pathological bone changes of the mandibles of wild red
deer (n=61) exhibiting severe dental fluorosis. The animals originated
from a highly fluoride polluted area in Central Europe (Ore mountains
and their southern foreland, Czech‐German border region) and constituted
11.2% of the studied red deer sample (n=545) from this area.
Pathologically increased wear and fracture of fluorosed teeth caused a
variety of mandibular bone alterations, including periodontal breakdown,
periostitis, osteitis and chronic osteomyelitis. As a further
consequence of severe dental attrition, opening of the pulp chamber and
formation of periapical abscesses were occasionally observed. In case of
severe periodontal breakdown, loss of teeth from the mandibles was
found. In addition to the inflammatory bone changes, the occurrence of
osteofluorotic alterations was also diagnosed in the specimens with the
highest bone fluoride concentrations (>4000 mg F⁻/kg dry
wt). These changes comprised extended apposition of periosteal bone onto
the mandibular cortex as well as deformation of the mandibular body,
which was attributed to a fluoride‐induced osteomalacia. The present
study provided circumstantial evidence that, in addition to fluoride
induced dental lesions, the occurrence of marked periodontal disease and
tooth loss is an important factor responsible for a reduction of life
expectancy in severely fluorotic wild red deer.

Harvard Citation style: Schultz, M., Kierdorf, U., Sedlacek, F. and Kierdorf, H. (1998) Pathological bone changes in the mandibles of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) exposed to high environmental levels of fluoride, Journal of Anatomy, 193(3), pp. 431-442. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1998.19330431.x

APA Citation style: Schultz, M., Kierdorf, U., Sedlacek, F., & Kierdorf, H. (1998). Pathological bone changes in the mandibles of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) exposed to high environmental levels of fluoride. Journal of Anatomy. 193(3), 431-442. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1998.19330431.x