In vitro polarization of dental amalgam in human saliva

Potentiostatic anodic polarization techniques in Ringer's solution are commonly used for the evaluation of the corrosion resistance of dental amalgam. This in vitro method strives to simulate the in vivo electrochemical behaviour of amalgam in an electrolyte of natural saliva. Several types of dental amalgam were anodically polarized in natural saliva solutions and supernatant saliva solutions. The anodic polarization profiles are presented, as well as scanning electron micrographs and x-ray analysis of the corroded amalgam surfaces. These reveal corrosion products consistent with results found with previous artificial salivas as well as deposits possibly related to the organic component of natural saliva.