Influence of casting procedures on the corrosion resistance of clinical dental alloys containing palladium.

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro corrosion resistance in artificial saliva of two palladium-silver alloys (a Pd-Ag (Pors on 4) and an Ag-Pd (Palliag LTG)), with and without casting defects; 1 nickel-chrome alloy and 1 high-gold alloy, cast under recommended conditions, served as controls. For each of the palladium-based alloys, three specimens corresponding to three different casting conditions were used: under recommended conditions, with the use of a graphite-containing investment and crucible, and by reusing the sprues and sprue button. The electrochemical tests were run in Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva. The open-circuit potential was recorded in mV/SCE at t=24h. Then, potentiodynamic polarization was performed to measure the polarization resistance (R(p)) in kOmega cm(2) and the corrosion current (i(corr)) in microA cm(-2). Data were evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and multiple comparisons test (alpha=0.05). In addition, each specimen was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the control alloys, the electrochemical experiments in artificial saliva indicated satisfactory corrosion resistance for the Pd-Ag and Ag-Pd alloys; these results are related to their high noble metal content and stable substructure. The Pd-Ag alloy displayed superior electrochemical properties to those of the Ag-Pd alloy regardless of the casting condition. The use of the graphite-containing crucible and investment during the cast process did not dramatically reduce the corrosion resistance values, but the reuse of sprues and the sprue button did. The optimal corrosion resistance values were obtained for the alloys cast according to the recommended conditions.

Tensile and shear bond strength evaluation of a total-etch three-step and two self-etching one-step dentin bonding systems.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the bond strengths of two new self-etching one-step (Prompt L-Pop 2 and Adper Prompt L-pop) to a total-etch three-step dentin bonding system (Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty human molars were randomly divided into 3 groups of 40 specimens each. Dentin surfaces of each group were bonded with either Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SMP), a three-step system, Prompt L-Pop 2 (PLP), or Adper Prompt L-Pop (APLP), two one-step bonding systems--according to manufacturers' recommendations. After adhesive application, a composite resin cylinder was incrementally built in a Teflon mold (5 mm high and 5 mm in diameter). The samples of each group were randomly divided into 2 subgroups of 20 samples each and were tested in a shear bond or in a tensile bond strength mode (crosshead speed 5 mm/min). Statistical analyses were performed with one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The significantly lowest shear and tensile bond strength values were obtained with APLP. PLP revealed higher shear bond strengths than APLP and SMP. There were no differences in tensile bond strengths between PLP and SMP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro study showed that the chemical modifications (adjunction of monomers and copolymers) of the self-etching all-in-one system APLP did not improve its mechanical properties.

Galvanic corrosion between orthodontic wires and brackets in fluoride mouthwashes.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of fluoride in certain mouthwashes on the risk of corrosion through galvanic coupling of orthodontic wires and brackets. Two titanium alloy wires, nickel-titanium (NiTi) and copper-nickel-titanium (CuNiTi), and the three most commonly used brackets, titanium (Ti), iron-chromium-nickel (FeCrNi) and cobalt-chromium (CoCr), were tested in a reference solution of Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva and in two commercially available fluoride (250 ppm) mouthwashes, Elmex and Meridol. Corrosion resistance was assessed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-MS), analysis of released metal ions, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of the metal surfaces after immersion of different wire-bracket pairs in the test solutions. The study was completed by an electrochemical analysis. Meridol mouthwash, which contains stannous fluoride, was the solution in which the NiTi wires coupled with the different brackets showed the highest corrosion risk, while in Elmex mouthwash, which contains sodium fluoride, the CuNiTi wires presented the highest corrosion risk. Such corrosion has two consequences: deterioration in mechanical performance of the wire-bracket system, which would negatively affect the final aesthetic result, and the risk of local allergic reactions caused by released Ni ions. The results suggest that mouthwashes should be prescribed according to the orthodontic materials used. A new type of mouthwash for use during orthodontic therapy could be an interesting development in this field.

Corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of a new porous surface for titanium implants.

Alterations of the commercially pure titanium (cpTi) surface may be undertaken to improve its biological properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility of cpTi when submitted to a new, porous titanium, surface treatment (porous Ti). Five types of surface treatments, namely sintered microspheres porous titanium (porous Ti), titanium plasma spray (TPS), hydroxyapatite (HA), sandblasted and acid etched (SBAE), and resorbable blast medium, sandblasted with hydroxyapatite (RBM) were made. In the experimental methods, the corrosion potentials were measured over time, and then a linear sweep voltammetric analysis measured the polarization resistances and corrosion currents. For biocompatibility evaluation, MG63 osteoblast-like cells were used. Cell morphology, cell proliferation, total protein content, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were evaluated after 2 h, and after 2, 4 and 7 d. Porous Ti and SBAE showed a better corrosion resistance, with a weak corrosion current and a high polarization resistance, than the other surfaces. Cell attachment, cell morphology, cell proliferation, and ALP synthesis were influenced by the surface treatments, with a significant increase observed of the activity of osteoblast cells on the porous coating (porous Ti). Based on these results, it is suggested that the porous Ti surface has a significantly better biocompatibility than the other surface treatments and an excellent electrochemical performance.

Corrosion resistance of three orthodontic brackets: a comparative study of three fluoride mouthwashes.

In the present study, three types of orthodontic brackets were investigated: cobalt-chromium (CoCr), iron-chromium-nickel (FeCrNi) and titanium (Ti) based. Their corrosion resistance was compared with that of platinum (Pt), which was chosen as the reference material because of its excellent electrochemical properties. The test solutions were Elmex, Meridol and Acorea fluoride mouthwashes. Fusayama Meyer artificial saliva was used as the reference solution. The corrosion resistance of the different brackets in the three mouthwashes was assessed electrochemically to determine the corrosion potential and corrosion current density, and polarization resistance values were then calculated. A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study and an analysis of released metal ions confirmed the electrochemical studies. The results showed that the bracket materials could be divided into two groups: Ti and FeCrNi in one, and CoCr, which has properties close to those of Pt, in the other. Similarly, two groups of electrolytes were identified: Elmex and Acorea mouthwashes in one group, and Meridol mouthwash in the second group. The results indicate that because of the risk of corrosion Meridol mouthwash should not be prescribed for patients wearing Ti or FeCrNi-based orthodontic brackets.

Corrosion resistance of cobalt-chromium and palladium-silver alloys used in fixed prosthetic restorations.

The corrosion resistance of a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy was assessed with a view to determining its potential use in the manufacture of fixed dental prostheses. The electrochemical behaviour of the alloy was compared with that of two palladium (Pd)-based alloys. Measurements of corrosion potential and anodic polarization were performed on the alloys, and the specimen surfaces were examined by using scanning electron microscopy. Although the corrosion potential of the Co-Cr alloy was lower than that of the Pd-based alloys, the corrosion currents and polarization resistance values were similar for all three alloys. All materials showed a very high resistance to corrosion. Given that the beneficial mechanical properties of Co-Cr alloys have already been established, this type of alloy may be a suitable alternative for use in the manufacture of fixed dental prostheses.

Influence of fluoridated mouthwashes on corrosion resistance of orthodontics wires.

The aim of the present study was to classify the different alloys commonly used to make orthodontic wire according to their corrosion resistance in different media. The four materials analysed were titanium-based alloys: TMA, TiNb, NiTi and CuNiTi, which were tested in three fluoride mouthwashes: Elmex, Meridol and Acorea as well as in Fusayama Meyer artificial saliva. The electrochemical study showed that the alloys could be divided into two groups. In one group were the NiTi-based alloys which were subject to strong corrosion in the presence of monofluorophosphate found in Acorea solution. In the other group were TiNb, which was the most resistant to corrosion, and TMA, which corroded strongly with the stannous fluoride found in Meridol mouthwash. The results obtained in the present study will enable us to provide attending practitioners with advice concerning fluoride mouthwash to recommend, depending on the treatment phase and the alloy used. So we can advise Elmex mouthwash for patients with TMA and NiTi-based orthodontics wires but we suggest Acorea or Meridol mouthwashes for patients with TiNb orthodontics wires.

Trabecular alveolar bone in the human mandible: a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of bone mineral content and bone mineral density before implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material examined consisted of 63 mandibular bone specimens cut from 21 fresh cadavers (11 men; 10 women). Three specimens were cut per cadaver in the incisal, premolar, and molar regions. Three regions of interest (G, R1, and R2) were delineated. The global bone specimen (G) consisted of the whole specimen (ie, both cortical and trabecular bone). R1 and R2 were delineated in the trabecular bone of the alveolar process. RESULTS: In all subjects, the combined bone mineral content of the whole mandible specimens (global bone mineral content) was significantly correlated with age. The difference between the mean bone mineral densities of the male and female mandibles was found to be significant for G (P = .009). The mean bone mineral densities of dentate and edentulous specimens were also found to be significantly different for G and R1, respectively (P = .001 and P = .02), but not for R2. A positive correlation could be detected among the mean bone mineral density of G and R1, G and R2, and R1 and R2 of (1) male and female specimens, (2) dentate and edentulous specimens, and (3) incisal, premolar, and molar specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The intra-alveolar trabecular bone of these 21 mandibles is affected by the same local and systemic influences as cortical bone, whereas the infra-alveolar trabecular bone is mostly sensitive to dental status. The cortical and trabecular bone of the 10 mandibles from women is more sensitive to systemic influences, whereas that from men is more sensitive to local influences. This is somewhat in agreement with some studies that found an association between osteoporosis and oral bone loss, which is a metric measure.

Influence of fluoride content and pH on the corrosion resistance of titanium and its alloys.

In the last decade, new titanium alloys have been developed in different areas of dentistry, such as TiAl6V4 and NiTi. Concurrently, treatments using fluoride supplementation, such as odontology fluoride containing gels, have also been widely used in odontology. The aim of this study was to compare the NiTi, NiTiCo and TiAl6V4 alloys with the titanium, regarding the corrosion resistance in Fusayama Meyer artificial saliva with different pH and fluoride contents. In the experimental methods, the corrosion potential was measured over time, then a linear sweep voltametric analysis measured the polarization resistances and corrosion currents. Our results have shown that TiAl6V4 alloys have a good corrosion resistance as good as that of titanium in Fusayama Meyer saliva and acid salivary solution, except NiTi and NiTiCo alloys. Conversely, we noticed, as for the titanium, a remarkable localized corrosion phenomenon of those new alloys in fluoride and acid-fluoride salivary solutions. The fluoride ions could cause the breakdown of the protective passivation layer that normally exists on the titanium and its alloys, leading to pit corrosion.