In vitro cytotoxicity of zoledronate (nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate: NBP) and/or etidronate (non-NBP) in tumour cells and periodontal cells

These results, together with those reported by others and those from our previous in vivo experiments, suggest that NBPs, upon release from jawbones (e.g., during dental surgery or bone infection), may directly injure various cells located around the jawbones, and that etidronate may be protective against the cytotoxicity of NBPs in periodontal tissues.