[Solubility of dental alloys in saliva]

Five dental probationers each of the clinical courses for prosthodontics manufactured maxillary cast partial dentures from 7 nickel-bearing alloys according to given guidelines. Prior to insertion as well as after 20 min, and in some cases 3 h, resting secretion saliva samples were collected and analyzed for their nickel contents with the aid of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using a graphite tube. Further saliva samples were collected following the insertion of plates inactivated in lactic acid and saline, and after intensive polishing and reinsertion. 20 min after insertion the salivary nickel levels were above the blank value. After 3 h they decreased to the blank value again. The solubility behavior in saliva of the alloys studied was in accordance with the results obtained in corrosion tests in vitro.