Effects of Sodium Polyphosphate on the Inhibition of Calculus Formation In vitro and Animal Test

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) on the crystal formation of calcium phosphate and on dental calculus formation in rats in comparison with sodium pyrophosphate (PP). Both TPP and PP inhibited the precipitation of calcium phosphate from solution, the phase transformation of calcium phosphate (amorphous calcium phosphate. hydroxyapatite), and the crystal growth of hydroxyapatite. In the precipitation of calcium phosphate from solution, TPP was more effective than PP. Deposition of calculus in rats was reduced by the application of toothpaste slurries which contained TPP or PP. In particular, TPP toothpaste significantly reduced calculus scores in rats. These results suggested that TPP toothpaste would inhibit dental calculus formation clinically.