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

Abstract

Abstract Implant failure is more likely found in individuals with medically compromising systemic conditions such as diabetes related to high blood glucose levels, and other inflammatory diseases related to lower pH levels compared to 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 following four different solutions: Ringer's physiological solution with pH=7.0 and pH=5.5; and Ringer's physiological solution containing 15mM dextrose with 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 scanning electron microscope (SEM). 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 both dextrose contained solutions and the solutions without dextrose. Keywords: Corrosion, implants, diabetes, pH, EIS, SEM.