Suppression of alveolar bone resorption by etidronate treatment for periodontal disease: 4- to 5-year follow-up of four patients.

Four women with periodontitis received intermittent cyclical etidronate (etidronate administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/day for 2 weeks, at intervals of 10-12 weeks or 6 months) for 4-5 years in addition to ordinary dental therapy. Alveolar bone density was measured using a new method comparing the percentage increase in density. Mean alveolar bone density increased significantly during intermittent cyclical etidronate treatment. Significant reductions were observed in the mobility of the teeth and the depth of periodontal pockets. There were significant correlations between alveolar bone density and both mobility of the teeth and the depth of the alveolar pockets. It is concluded that increases in alveolar bone density are associated with the clinical benefits of etidronate in the treatment of periodontitis.