Evaluation of effect of galvanic corrosion between nickel-chromium metal and titanium on ion release and cell toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cell toxicity due to ion release caused by galvanic corrosion as a result of contact between base metal and titanium.


METHODS
It was hypothesized that Nickel (Ni)-Chromium (Cr) alloys with different compositions possess different corrosion resistances when contacted with titanium abutment, and therefore in this study, specimens (10×10×1.5 mm) were fabricated using commercial pure titanium and 3 different types of Ni-Cr alloys (T3, Tilite, Bella bond plus) commonly used for metal ceramic restorations. The specimens were divided into 6 groups according to the composition of Ni-Cr alloy and contact with titanium. The experimental groups were in direct contact with titanium and the control groups were not. After the samples were immersed in the culture medium - Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium[DMEM] for 48 hours, the released metal ions were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test (P<.05). Mouse L-929 fibroblast cells were used for cell toxicity evaluation. The cell toxicity of specimens was measured by the 3-{4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl}-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results of MTT assay were statistically analyzed by the two-way ANOVA test (P<.05). Post-hoc multiple comparisons were conducted using Tukey's tests.


RESULTS
The amount of metal ions released by galvanic corrosion due to contact between the base metal alloy and titanium was increased in all of the specimens. In the cytotoxicity test, the two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of the alloy type and galvanic corrosion for cytotoxicity (P<.001). The relative cell growth rate (RGR) was decreased further on the groups in contact with titanium (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The release of metal ions was increased by galvanic corrosion due to contact between base metal and titanium, and it can cause adverse effects on the tissue around the implant by inducing cytotoxicity.
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Jung-Jin
0000-0002-7381-5230
JJ
Lee
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Kwang-Yeob
0000-0003-4283-1278
KY
Song
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Seung-Geun
0000-0002-9105-931X
SG
Ahn
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Jung-Yun
JY
Choi
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Jae-Min
0000-0001-5095-4046
JM
Seo
Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea. ; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Ju-Mi
0000-0003-1910-1525
JM
Park
Cytotoxicity; Dental alloy; Galvanic corrosion; Ion release; Nickel-Chromium; Titanium abutment