Fig. 3

Defects in dentin formation and shortened roots in Stat3 CKO mice. A µCT scans from the mandibular molars of Stat3 CKO and control mice at 3 and 8WK. Stat3 CKO mice had thinner dentin thickness in root, larger pulp cavity and shorter root length. Dentin marked in red was used for dentin thickness analysis. A high density shadow was seen in the incisors pulp cavity in the coronal section of mandibular second molars from Stat3 CKO mice at 8WK. * indicates high-density shadow in the incisor pulp cavity. B Quantifications of root dentin thickness of the first molar at 3 and 8WK. C Quantifications of root to crown ratio of the distal root of the first molar at 3WK and 8WK. D Histological comparison to molar dentin thickness at 3WK and 8WK old. Stat3 CKO mice showed less thickness in the root dentin than control mice. E Osteodentin formation in the mandibular incisors of the Stat3 CKO mice at 8WK. Black arrows indicated osteodentin. F Representative images of Col1a1 immunofluorescent staining in the first mandibular molar from 3WK. G The protein expression levels of Col1a1 in odontoblasts of control and Stat3 CKO mice. n = 3, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001