Effects of EDITEMPA on dental calculus and caries formation in vivo.

N,N,N',N'-ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid)--EDITEMPA--was highly effective in reducing dental calculus formation in beagle dogs when applied topically as a 1% solution or in a mouth rinse. A dose-response study in 40 beagles for 12 weeks with dentifrices containing 1, 2, 2.75, and 2.75% EDITEMPA + 0.1% NaF gave a significant (alpha = 0.05) reduction in calculus formation. Based on these results, it was also concluded that 0.1% NaF did not affect the anticalculus activity of 2.75% EDITEMPA. The effect of EDITEMPA dentifrice on dental caries in rats was also studied. A dentifrice containing 1.69% EDITEMPA significantly (alpha less than 0.01) reduced smooth and fissure caries in rats when applied topically. Collectively, the data suggested that EDITEMPA was an effective anticalculus agent and that it did not damage developing enamel in vivo.