title: Staining of dentin from amalgam corrosion is induced by demineralization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of artificial demineralization upon color change of dentin in contact with dental amalgam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sound human molars (n = 34) were embedded in resin and coronal enamel was removed. Dentin was exposed to artificial caries gel (pH 5.5) at 37 degrees C for 12 weeks (n = 24). Non-demineralized teeth served as controls (n = the 10). A dispersive high-Cu amalgam or conventional low-Cu amalgam was condensed onto dentin surfaces of all groups. After 10 weeks storage in saline, amalgam was removed and teeth were cut into three slices. Surfaces were inspected under optical microscopy and photographed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Penetration of black pigments was observed in dentin underneath both high-Cu and low-Cu amalgams in demineralized specimens. Black deposits were unevenly distributed and observed predominantly in dentin near to pulp horns. Discoloration was not limited to outer demineralized dentin but extended beyond this zone. Evenly distributed bluish-green discoloration was observed underneath all high-Cu amalgam specimens independent of demineralization.
authors.forename: Johannes D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Scholtanus
authors.forename: Wietske
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van der Hoorn
authors.forename: Mutlu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.forename: Marie-Charlotte D N J M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Huysmans
authors.forename: Joost F M
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Roeters
authors.forename: Cornelis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kleverlaan
authors.forename: Albert J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Feilzer
mesh_terms: D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D003343:Corrosion; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D010781:Photography; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000150:complications*; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003300:Copper; D003723:Dental Amalgam