The effect of food simulants on corrosion of simulated fixed orthodontic appliance

Abstract EN

Background : Fixed orthodontic appliances were considered as a source of human exposure to different elements used in manufacturing of these appliances.

Physical and chemical properties of food and liquids can affect the corrosion of these appliances.

This study was designed to determine the effect of dietary simulating liquids and artificial saliva on the corrosion rate of fixed orthodontic appliances.

Materials and Methods: a seventy set of fixed orthodontic appliances (Ortho Technology, USA) each one simulated half maxillary arch was used.

These were divided in to seven groups according to the immersion solution : artificial saliva, distilled water, 10 % ethanol, 50 % ethanol, 3 % acetic acid, corn oil, and 1 % citric acid, the immersion done at 37°c for 28 days.

The measurement of the released ions was done by using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Spectrophotometer.

The orthodontic sets was Weighed before and after each immersion period.

Results : the results revealed that the higher amounts of ions were released on the first 7 days, and the higher levels of ions were released in acidic solutions, and the least amount of the ions were released in corn oil and distilled water solutions.

The results of weighing the orthodontic sets revealed that all the appliances have a higher weight at the end of the study.

Conclusion : the corrosion rate of orthodontic appliances increases with decreasing the PH of the solutions, and the presence of oil decreases the corrosion rate of these appliances.