Abstract
The effect of trimetaphosphate on mineral deposition was studied. Small concentrations of trimetaphosphate in a calcifying solution slowed the rate of calcium and phosphate deposition onto etched enamel and caused the formation of a solid phase, the chemical composition of which approximated that of hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite. The mechanism of the trimetaphosphate ion effect was due to its accumulation on the enamel mineral surface.