Although in medicine it is used as synonym of Eidronic Acid, Etidronate is a salt of etidronic acid.

The Etidronic acid is a phosphonate derived from phosphorus, used as a corrosion inhibitor.

Applications and uses:

• Fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Degreasers
• Detergents
• Antibacterial

Dentistry

Prior to obturation, the intracanal medicament should be removed. Medicament residues can reduce root canal permeability by promoting the formation of calcium carbonate particles and interfering with sealing ability of root canal sealers (1).

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of irrigation protocols (EDTA, citric acid, and etidronate) in Ca(OH)2 removal. Inter-group comparison showed that in the coronal-third, etidronate (Group-III) showed highest cleanliness scores, followed by EDTA (2).

In this root canal study, ethidronic acid showed less removal efficacy than SmearClear and MTAd (3).

Orthopedics

Hip fracture is among the most common causes of acute immobilization in elderly patients leading to increased bone resorption, and elderly patients with hip fracture are at high risk for a subsequent hip fracture. Etidronate therapy inhibits bone resorption and improves calcium balance, and such therapy may prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of subsequent hip fracture (4).

Synonyms: Etidronic acid, HEDP, 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-Bisphosphonate

Molecular formula: C₂H₈O₇P₂

Molecular weight: 206.027

CAS: 2809-21-4 

References__________________________________

(1) Interaction of calcium hydroxide with zinc oxide-eugenol type sealers: a potential clinical problem.

Margelos J, Eliades G, Verdelis C, Palaghias G

J Endod. 1997 Jan; 23(1):43-8.

(2) Comparison of efficiency of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citric acid, and etidronate in the removal of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament using scanning electron microscopic analysis: An in-vitro study.

Chockattu SJ, Deepak BS, Goud KM.

J Conserv Dent. 2017 Jan-Feb;20(1):6-11. doi: 10.4103/0972-0707.209079.

(3) A Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Etidronic Acid, SmearClear and MTAD in Removing the Intracanal Smear Layer.

Yadav HK, Yadav RK, Chandra A, Tikku AP.

J Dent (Shiraz). 2017 Jun;18(2):118-126.

(4) Beneficial Effect of Etidronate Therapy in Immobilized Hip Fracture Patients

Sato, Yoshihiro MD; Kanoko, Tomohiro MD; Yasuda, Hajime MD; Satoh, Kei MD; Iwamoto, Jun MD

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: April 2004 - Volume 83 - Issue 4 - p 298-303

doi: 10.1097/01.PHM.0000122877.28631.23