Corrosion Resistance of Dental Alloys in Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

Background: Hydrogen peroxide is widely used as a hemostatic and antiseptic agent. Anecdotal reports also highlight the potential benefits of oral administration of hydrogen peroxide solutions, extending their use beyond oral disinfection. However, the contact with peroxides often overlooks the risk of corrosion damage to artificial dentures, particularly those manufactured 20–30 years ago. At that time, steel alloys were commonly used in denture manufacturing, especially in developing countries such as Vietnam.

AIM: To assess the corrosion risk of dental metals when exposed to medical hydrogen peroxide agents recommended for mouth rinsing and oral administration.

METHODS: The study investigated the corrosion behavior of two dental alloys, an iron alloy and a filling material, in an antiseptic oral solution with 3% w/w hydrogen peroxide (Н₂О₂) as an active component. The mass corrosion rate was gravimetrically measured for three samples of metal alloys and a filling material in a dental solution. The oxygen release kinetics and solution pH were determined.

RESULTS: In an open-air environment, the hydrogen peroxide solution decomposes intensively to yield oxygen. The time for intensive decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the test concentration was approximately 500 s, and therefore the chemical and corrosive activity was limited by this interval. Titanium, cobalt and chromium alloys showed high corrosion resistance in the hydrogen peroxide solution. Non-metallic glass-ionomer cements were resistant to the hydrogen peroxide solution. In contrast, iron alloys have high corrosion rates in the hydrogen peroxide medium. Iron alloys corrosion rates and hydrogen peroxide decomposition rates were demonstrated to follow similar temporal patterns. This suggested that oxygen released during hydrogen peroxide decomposition plays a leading role in the corrosion process.

CONCLUSION: Based on the study findings, titanium, cobalt, and chromium alloys and non-metallic glass-ionomer cements demonstrate high corrosion resistance in hydrogen peroxide solutions. The study also highlights that regular use of antiseptic medical solutions containing 3% hydrogen peroxide requires careful consideration of the potential risks posed by their corrosive effects on denture alloys that contain iron components.