The short-term effects of high doses of ethylene-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate upon early dentin formation.

The effects of high doses of ethylene-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) were investigated at the light microscopic and subcellular level. The administration of EHDP at a concentration of 7.5-10 mg P/kg body weight/day over a short period of time resulted in complete inhibition of crystal formation in predentin and pre-enamel. An increased predentin width was observed and within newly-formed predentin areas the formation ofcollagen fibrils was grossly disturbed. In addition, fine precipitates appeared in the ground substance. The presence of unusual thread-like elements within specific bodies in the cytoplasm of the odontoblastic processes may be indicative of an interference by EHDP in e.g. the synthesis of precollagen. The possibility of an inhibition by EHDP of the extracellular aggregation of collagen molecules is also discussed. EHDP further inhibited crystal formation within dentinal globules. Functioning ameloblasts were grossly affected in EHDP-treated rats, and it is suggested that this is related to an inhibition of crystal formation in pre-enamel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]