An in vitro and in vivo investigation of mellitate and ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate in calcium phosphate systems.

Comparisons of mellitate (MA) and ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) have been carried out in studies of enamel etching, calcium phosphate crystal growth and animal calculus deposition. In enamel etch studies at pH 5, 6, or 7 and after treatment times of 5 or 170 min, EHDP was less damaging to enamel surfaces than MA as determined by scanning electron microscopy, grazing angle electron diffraction, and quantitative etch solution analyses. Both MA and EHDP inhibited hydroxyapatite crystal growth, although EHDP was more effective than MA. The formation of a tricalcium mellitate surface phase is suggested as the basis of the MA crystal growth effect on apatite. Both MA and EHDP also inhibited rat calculus formation, but EHDP was more effective than MA. The relation between crystal growth inhibition, surface phase solubility, and anti-calculus activity is discussed and a generalized principal for determining an effective inhibitor of calculus is suggested.