Abstract:

Fixed orthodontic appliances introduce metallic elements into the oral cavity and may affect the local electrochemical environment during treatment. Continuous exposure to saliva, dental biofilm, dietary factors, and changes in oral acidity may influence the corrosion behavior of orthodontic materials under clinical conditions. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate changes in open circuit corrosion potentials in vivo after placement of fixed orthodontic appliances and to monitor their dynamics over time. Measurements were performed in 85 patients with metallic elements of fixed orthodontic appliances immediately after appliance placement, at 1 month, and at 6 months of treatment. The recorded values were predominantly within a negative potential range. A shift toward more negative values was observed at 1 month compared with the initial measurement obtained immediately after appliance placement, followed by partial recovery at 6 months. Most values remained within a moderate range, while a limited number of cases showed low positive values, indicating individual variability in the electrochemical response. The observed temporal pattern suggests that fixed orthodontic treatment is associated with measurable changes in oral corrosion potential during the early phase of therapy, followed by partial stabilization over time. These findings support the clinical relevance of in vivo monitoring of open circuit corrosion potentials for assessment of the electrochemical behavior of metallic orthodontic appliances under real oral conditions.
Keywords: orthodontic treatment; open circuit potential; corrosion; fixed orthodontic appliances; in vivo