Biocorrosion characterisation and mathematical modelling of Dental implants

Abstract

The number of people with missing teeth continues to grow and to solve this problem dental implants have been widely used. A dental implant is an artificial component used to replace natural teeth following an injury, mouth infection, congenital defect, or aging deformity. These implants are made from a variety of materials and most of the materials are prone to corrosion. The dental implants are exposed to an environment that can cause corrosion through electrochemical and chemical reactions. Corrosion therefore affects the implants structure as well as compromising the health of the people as some material ion deposits contribute to some health complications. There are several types of corrosion and many ways to detect and characterise corrosion. To mitigate corrosion different types of inhibitors may be are used. Corrosion inhibitors are extracted from the plants, made from chemicals that can also be toxic to the humans further complicating the use of the dental implants. Nanocoating methods prevent corrosion and improve the properties of the implants depending on the materials used. Corrosion rate is investigated using weightloss and linear polarisation methods in ringers , H2SO4, NaCl solutions at varying temperatures 25,37,45,65 degrees celcius . Weight loss method done with and without the inhibitor in the presence of the corrosive media . Alumina corrosion characteristics were investigated. The SEM was utelised to determine the microstructure of implants before and after corrosion and the numerical mathematical model was developed and the results were analysed.

Speaker

Winnie Mtetwa
UNISA Biomedical and bioresources Engineering
South Africa

Discussion

Ask question