SEM and Microprobe Analysis of Bone Response to Zinc-Amalgam Implants.

Abstract : Freshly mixed, unset zinc-free and zinc-containing amalgam was implanted in the right tibia of thirty-two rats. Half of the specimens were examined by the light microscope and the other half by the scanning electron microscope and x-ray microprobe analysis. It was found that amalgam is well tolerated by the rat osseous tissue, and that there was no histological reaction differences between zinc and zinc-free amalgam. The surfaces of the implants were covered by an organic film at three weeks, and with bone at later intervals. Very little corrosion products containing sulfur were observed on the amalgam surface at all intervals. Bone adjacent to the amalgam contained tin and sulfur irrespective of the presence of zinc in the alloy, indicating outward migration of specific components of the alloy. (Author)