Sodium fluoride and calcitonin are both used in the treatment of osteoporosis, but they work through different mechanisms. Sodium fluoride promotes bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts and inhibiting osteoclasts, leading to increased bone density. Calcitonin, on the other hand, primarily inhibits osteoclast activity, which slows down bone resorption and can help alleviate pain from fractures. Both medications aim to improve bone health, but they target different aspects of bone metabolism.