Improving the corrosion resistance of dental amalgam in artificial saliva through the use of zirconia ceramic additives

Dental amalgam is a widely used restorative material due to its affordability, ease of handling, and mechanical performance.However, its susceptibility to corrosion in the oral environment poses challenges related to mercury release and reduced longevity.This study aims to evaluate the effect of incorporating zirconium oxide (ZrO2) ceramic powder on the corrosion resistance of dental amalgam in artificial saliva.Amalgam specimens were prepared with varying weight percentages of ZrO2 ceramic powder: 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%.Corrosion performance was assessed using potentiodynamic polarization tests, supported by microstructural analysis.The results demonstrated a significant improvement in corrosion resistance with increasing ZrO2 content.The corrosion rate decreased from 1.554 mpy (control) to 0.894 mpy (0.5%), 0.819 mpy (1%), and 0.6045 mpy (1.5%).These values represent a corrosion reduction of approximately 42.5%, 47.3%, and 61.1%, respectively, compared to the untreated amalgam.The enhanced performance is attributed to the formation of a more stable amalgam by the ceramic additive.In conclusion, the incorporation of ZrO2 ceramic powder into dental amalgam significantly enhances its resistance to corrosion in simulated oral environments.This modification may contribute to extended clinical service life and reduced mercury-related concerns, making it a promising strategy for improving the long-term performance of dental amalgam restorations.