In vivo corrosion behavior of gold-plated versus titanium dental retention pins

Two types of titanium dental retention pins and a gold-plated stainless steel pin were tested for their in vivo corrosion behavior. Six paired samples of titanium and gold-plated pins were placed in box preparations of 12 periodontally involved premolars. Half of the samples were restored with a high copper admixed type amalgam while the rest were restored with a BisGMA-POCl2 bonding resin and a hybrid visible light-cured composite resin. After 3 months in vivo, the teeth were extracted, and the pins were removed and examined with an electron microprobe. The surface of the titanium pins was found to be smooth and without defects. Only traces of Ca and P could be identified from dentin. The gold-plated pins demonstrated cracks and pores, especially at the outer part of the serrations, resulting in disruption of the electroplated film. Traces of Hg, Sn, Cu, S, Zn, Ca, K, Cl, P, and S were detected at the gold-plated pin/amalgam interface, while Cl and P were found at the gold-plated pin/composite resin interface. The in vivo corrosion resistance of the titanium pins was found to be superior to that of the gold-plated stainless steel pins.