Periapical electrolytic corrosion in the failure of silver point endodontic restorations: report of two cases

Electrolytic corrosion is part of a broader electrochemical phenomenon that is responsible for oral galvanism. Because several physiopathologic manifestations are associated with the electrochemical phenomenon of galvanism, making the differential diagnosis can be difficult. In endodontically treated teeth, periapical electrolytic corrosion phenomena with associated symptoms can easily be misinterpreted, and the clinical presentation may be accepted as a diagnosis rather than a symptom. The purpose of this paper is to describe two cases of symptomatic periapical electrolytic corrosion resulting from the creation of "active" bimetallic galvanic cells involving silver points. The treatment involved the placement of a retrograde seal into the apical part of the root canal, which controlled the unwanted effect of leakage into the canal space. With the electrochemical activity attenuated, periapical healing and remission of symptoms occurred.