The <i>in vivo</i> corrosion of Dispersalloy

Abstract

The in vivo corrosion of Dispersalloy amalgam restorations was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. It was observed that the corrosion of CuSn resulted in pitting on the restoration surface. Corrosion of Sn-rich grain boundaries led to intergranular separation of gamma 1 grains. The tin released through corrosion reacted with Ca, P, Cl and O forming various insoluble complexes on the external surface, at the tooth-amalgam interface, and within the interior of the restoration. The demineralization of the amalgam-adjacent margin has been attributed to corrosion.