Journal of Dental Research, Vol 73, 33-43, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Release of elements due to electrochemical corrosion of dental amalgam
S. Olsson, A. Berglund and M. Bergman
Department of Dental Materials Science, Faculty of Odontology, University of Umea, Sweden.
The corrosion pattern of dental amalgam in aqueous media was interpreted
theoretically by means of log(ai/a(ref))-pe diagrams. The definitions on
which the diagrams were based were given, and their features were
described. All sparingly soluble compounds which were expected to be formed
in reactions with the solvents considered were listed. All the corrosion
products reported in the current literature were found to be formed, and
the conditions for their formation were established. It emerged that it was
necessary to exclude other sparingly soluble compounds with theoretically
might be formed. Two compounds, CuSCN and AgSCN, which have not been
reported previously were found to be possible corrosion products. Corrosion
products containing mercury compound cannot be formed on amalgam
restorations with no metallic contact with other materials.
