EFFECTS OF LARGE DAILY DOSES OF VITAMIN D ON TEETH AND JAWS OF RATS AND ON HUMANS

¹ School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, N. Y.

1. Dentin apposition appeared to be significantly greater in the rats receiving vitamin D (Ertron) than in the untreated group.

2. No difference was observed in the calcification rhythm of the dentin of the lower incisors of the animals fed vitamin D as compared with the untreated group.

3. A significant increase in bone formation occurred during the period when the specific vitamin D preparation was fed as compared to the amount of apposition during the control period. No such increase occurred in the untreated animals.

4. The rate of tooth eruption was not altered significantly in the animals receiving vitamin D as compared with the untreated animals.

5. The skeletal calcification, as observed by comparing the radiographs, was not significantly different in the treated and untreated groups.

6. No pulp stones were seen (in radiographs) in any of the animals, even after the massive vitamin D administration. No appreciable change in pulp stone formation was detected (in radiographs) in 8 humans receiving approximately 300,000 units of vitamin D (Ertron) daily.

7. The daily administration of massive doses of Ertron did not significantly alter the estrus cycle of the rats during the experimental period.

8. Daily massive doses of vitamin D (Ertron) were administered without signs of toxicity.