Evaluation of the long-term corrosion behavior of dental amalgams: influence of palladium addition and particle morphology

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the long-term corrosion behavior of experimental amalgams as a function of particle morphology and palladium content. Methods: Samples of four experimental high copper amalgams were prepared according to ADA specifications. Two of them had the same chemical composition but one had lathe cut particles (LCP) and the other had spherical particles (SP). The two others had spherical powders with an addition of 0.5 wt% of palladium (SP 0.5) and 1 wt% of palladium(SP 1) for the other. Corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical techniques in Ringer's solution in a thermostated cell at 37degreesC for samples aged 5, 8, 12, 16 months and 10 years. Potentiokinetic curves were drawn and the potential and the current density corresponding to the first anodic peak were registered. Results: For all the amalgam samples the corrosion behavior improves over the 10-year period. SP samples exhibit a better behavior than LCP. Palladium addition improves corrosion behavior as compared to samples without palladium. No real difference is found regarding the amount of palladium between 0.5 and 1%. The potentials progress from a range between 0 and 20 mV/SCE to a range of 60-80 after 10 years. The stabilization of the potential begins after only 16 months. Except for the LCP, all the values converge to the same level of 80 mV/SCE. Significance: The addition of no more than 0.5 wt% Palladium in a high copper amalgam powder improves the corrosion behavior of the amalgam up to a period of 10 years. The potential of the first anodic peak increases for each amalgam, probably in relation to the evolution of the structure of the material. Clinically, it is of interest to consider the good electrochemical behavior of older restorations when contemplating the repair or replacement of such fillings. At the same time, galvanic current can occur when a new amalgam restoration is placed in contact with an old one even if the same amalgam is used. In this situation, the new filling will be anodic and its degradation will be accelerated. The evaluation of the corrosion behavior of dental amalgams has to take into account the age of the samples. (C) 2003 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.