Effect of particle geometry of alloys on corrosion resistance in copper enriched amalgams

Amalgam restorations often tarnish and corrode in a hostile oral environment. Corrosion of dental amalgam can produce galvanism in a mouth having amalgam restorations. Ion release as a result of corrosion is most important. Amalgams are categorized as high copper amalgam and conventional amalgam. The latter having copper content less than 6%, corrode more and have limited use nowadays. There are many factors that can produce corrosion in amalgam restorations. This study is performed to assess the effect of shape and size of the particles of an alloy on the corrodibility of various high copper amalgams. Samples were prepared using three high copper amalgams having particles of various size and shape. The samples were tested for rate of corrosion using electrochemical corrosion testing apparatus. The data was collected and analyzed applying ANOVA. The results reveal that corrosion resistance of lathecut amalgam was significantly higher than spherical and admixed amalgams. High copper Lathe-cut amalgam has higher corrosion resistance than other amalgams