Degradation phenomena of magnetic attachments used clinically in the oral environment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the failure of magnetic attachments used to retain dental prostheses. Dyna magnets were retrieved from dentures that had failed after 34 months of clinical use. These magnetic attachments were prepared and sectioned so as to observe the corrosion surface and layer in order to analyze the corrosion behaviors of the attachments. The corroded surface was observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) (JSM 840A, JEOL, Japan). An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was used to analyze the corrosion product formed due to corrosion in the oral environment. Erosion-corrosion started in the uneven portion of the stainless steel cover in the magnetic attachments composed with Nd−Fe−B alloy. Corrosion was initiated on the worn stainless steel surface, followed by spalling of magnetic material due to corrosive solution. The corrosion rate increased drastically after the corrosion product caused spalling in Nd−Fe−B alloy. Corrosion initiated in the uneven stainless steel surface as well as in the welded zone. In conclusion, the failure of magnetic attachments may occur by either welding failure or breakdown of the encapsulating material. Thus, we believe that treating the surface of magnetic attachments would resolve the corrosion problem seen in magnetic attachments to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]