Biocorrosion of dental alloys due to Desulfotomaculum nigrificans bacteria.

Abstract

Degradation processes of metallic biomaterials in the oral cavity limit the stability and reliability of dental materials. The influence of environment bacteria Desulfotomaculum nigrificans sulfate reducing bacteria on the corrosion processes of Co-Cr-Mo and Ti-6Al-4V alloys was assessed. After 28 and 56 days of contact of the materials with the bacterial environment, the surfaces of the biomaterials tested were observed by means of confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), and their chemical composition was studied using X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS). Corrosive changes and the presence of sulfur (with medium atomic concentration of 0.5% for Co-Cr-Mo and 0.3% for Ti-6AL-4V) were observed on the surface of the biomaterials. Image analysis conducted using Aphelion software indicated that corrosion pits took up approx. 2.3% and 1.8% (after 28 days) and 4.2% and 3.1% (after 56 days) of the total test surfaces of cobalt and titanium alloys respectively. The greatest number of corrosion pits had a surface area within the range of 1-50 m2. They constituted from 37% up to 83% of all changes, depending on the type of material. An evident influence of the SRB on the surfaces of cobalt and titanium alloys was observed. Significant corrosive losses caused by the activity of microorganisms were observed on the metallic surfaces under study. The results of this study have much cognitive and utilitarian significance.