Biomaterial Database

Sn4(OH)6Cl2 and SnO corrosion products of amalgams. 1980

S J Marshall, and G W Marshall

Although the corrosion characteristics of dental amalgam have been of considerable interest to dental researchers, it has been difficult to identify the products which form in vivo. This report demonstrates that Sn4(OH)6Cl2 and SnO are formed in vivo and in vitro. The Sn-Cl product is the predominant phase formed by corrosion-induced changes of the Sn8Hg phase of amalgam. It is present in conventional and, in smaller amounts, Cu-rich amalgam restorations.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D010087	Oxides	Binary compounds of oxygen containing the anion O(2-). The anion combines with metals to form alkaline oxides and non-metals to form acidic oxides.	Oxide
D002712	Chlorides	Inorganic compounds derived from hydrochloric acid that contain the Cl- ion.	Chloride,Chloride Ion Level,Ion Level, Chloride,Level, Chloride Ion
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D003343	Corrosion	The gradual destruction of a metal or alloy due to oxidation or action of a chemical agent. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Corrosions
D003723	Dental Amalgam	An alloy used in restorative dentistry that contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and possibly zinc.	Amalgam, Dental,Amalgams, Dental,Dental Amalgams
D006878	Hydroxides	Inorganic compounds that contain the OH- group.
D012834	Silver	An element with the atomic symbol Ag, atomic number 47, and atomic weight 107.87. It is a soft metal that is used medically in surgical instruments, dental prostheses, and alloys. Long-continued use of silver salts can lead to a form of poisoning known as ARGYRIA.
D013499	Surface Properties	Characteristics or attributes of the outer boundaries of objects, including molecules.	Properties, Surface,Property, Surface,Surface Property
D014001	Tin	A trace element that is required in bone formation. It has the atomic symbol Sn, atomic number 50, and atomic weight 118.71.	Stannum