Avaliação da resistência a corrosão e da microestrutura de superfície de mini-implantes ortodônticos utilizados

Abstract

Introduction: The orthodontic mini-implants as biomaterials, in addition to mechanical resistance, shall have good corrosion resistance in the physiological environment in which they are inserted. Objective: To assess the corrosion resistance and the surface microstructure of orthodontic mini-implants kept in their bone insertion sites and removed after use. Material and methods: Twenty orthodontic mini-screw-implants made from Ti6AI4V alloy were assessed; divided into 2 groups of 10 units: the control group (as-received from the manufacturer) and the test group (which remained stable in their bone insertion sites and that have been removed after use). The visual analysis of the thread surface of mini-implants was performed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the evaluation of corrosion resistance with the cyclic potentiodynamic polarisation test through which the open circuit potential (OCP), the tOCP (timing of OCP), the primary passivation current (ipp) and the primary passivation potential (Epp) were determined. Results: It has not been identified any significant difference between the groups for the studied variables, although the comparison between the OCP values has had a p-limit value (p = 0.050). SEM images of the thread surface of the mini-implants obtained from both groups showed a regular polished surface without the presence of stains or adhered particles. Only one mini-implant from the control group showed a 61% reduction in the concentration of titanium within the cavity compared to the surface of the mini-implant through an auxiliary spectrometry technique of energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), confirming the scanning electron microscopic image that shows the presence of pit from the corrosion process. Conclusion: The average stay of 230 days of orthodontic mini-implants made from Ti6Al4V alloy at bone insertion sites did not cause significant changes either in corrosion resistance nor superficial characteristics of these devices.