Corrosion of dental burs in sterilizing and disinfecting solutions

Potentiodynamic anodic polarization, SEM, and energy dispersive microanalysis techniques were used to determine electrochemical aggressiveness of disinfecting and sterilizing solutions on carbide and stainless steel burs. The importance of galvanic cell formation in carbide burs caused by mixed metal coupling was examined. The following conclusions were reached. 1. Anodic polarization methods are an effective means for discriminating among the relative corrosiveness of sterilizing and disinfecting agents on dental instruments, particularly dental burs. 2. The relative degree of corrosiveness on stainless steel burs shows Omni II and Omnicide solutions the best, Sterall and Sporicidin solutions the poorest, and Glutarex solution intermediate. Omnicide and Glutarex solutions show the least degree of corrosiveness on the carbide burs. 3. SEM analysis of ground, polished, and treated surfaces shows corrosion deposition over the soldered joint of the carbide burs. The stainless steel shank is a cathodic component of a three-way galvanic cell, whereas the silver soldered joint is an anodic component.