Effect of lithium on the developing teeth of rabbits

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the dimensions of the teeth in new born babies of the mothers who receive lithium for a long time during pregnancy. The incidence of congenital defects due to Lithium was studied because, oral and dental structures are frequently the sites of adverse drug reactions. These include salivary glands, oral mucosa, periodontal tissues, teeth, alveolar bone, and other structures. The study was conducted on the female rabbits, which were kept on this specific drug during pregnancy. The off springs of these treated female rabbits were used for research purpose. They were sacrificed and the teeth were examined for the congenital defects developed during intrauterine life. This study was expected to provide suggestions for the use of this drug during pregnancy. The results showed large variations by analysing statistically in the different teeth i.e. the size reduced in maxillary incisors, first and second molars only. The nature of the insult is unlikely to be determinable and the results are generally not in accordance with the predicted outcome. However, the drugs should be used by doctor's prescription only, especially during pregnancy, avoiding the teratogenic effect on the dentition of the new borns