Editorial Type:
Article Category: Other
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Apr 2014

Effects of pH and Elevated Glucose Levels on the Electrochemical Behavior of Dental Implants

DDS, PhD and
DDS, PhD
Page Range: 153 – 159
DOI: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-11-00083
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Implant failure is more likely to occur in persons with medically compromising systemic conditions, such as diabetes related to high blood glucose levels and inflammatory diseases related to pH levels lower than those in healthy people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lower pH level and simulated- hyperglycemia on implant corrosion as these effects are critical to biocompatibility and osseointegration. The electrochemical corrosion properties of titanium implants were studied in four different solutions: Ringer's physiological solution at pH = 7.0 and pH = 5.5 and Ringer's physiological solution containing 15 mM dextrose at pH = 7 and pH = 5.5. Corrosion behaviors of dental implants were determined by cyclic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Surface alterations were studied using a scanning electron microscope. All test electrolytes led to apparent differences in corrosion behavior of the implants. The implants under conditions of test exhibited statistically significant increases in Icorr from 0.2372 to 1.007 μAcm−2, corrosion rates from 1.904 to 8.085 mpy, and a decrease in polarization resistances from 304 to 74 Ω. Implants in dextrose-containing solutions were more prone to corrosion than those in Ringer's solutions alone. Increasing the acidity also yielded greater corrosion rates for the dextrose-containing solutions and the solutions without dextrose.

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Figure 1. Representative cyclic polarization curves for groups. Figure 2. Representative Tafel plots of the polarization curves from the titanium dental implant exposed to different solutions. Figure 3. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and equivalent circuit used in the analysis of titanium dental implant in different mediums. (a) Representative EIS spectrums (b) Equivalent circuit.


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Figure 4. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of dental implant before corrosion testing. Figure 5. Postcorrosion SEM micrographs. (a) Group R7 (Ringer's physiological solution at pH = 7.0) (b) Group R5 (Ringer's physiological solution at pH = 5.5) (c) Group RD7 (Ringer's physiological solution containing 15 mM dextrose at pH = 7) (d) Group RD5 (Ringer's physiological solution containing 15 mM dextrose at pH = 5.5).


Contributor Notes

Corresponding Author, e-mail: evsen78@yahoo.com

Presented at the 8th International Electrochemistry Meeting, Antalya, Turkey, October 8–11, 2009.

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