Cathodic Protection in Orthodontic Appliances

The brackets are connected by orthodontic wires, called arches, so that they can be moved together with the teeth by spring systems and anchors made of various materials joined by different processes. This causes a galvanic cell and the release of nickel by the appliance, causing allergies. The objective of this study was to apply the sacrificial anode technique used for cathodic protection of metal structures exposed to saline environments. This technique was applied to protect stainless steel and its combinations with other metals used in orthodontic treatments, not to protect the structure, but rather to protect the oral cavity from damage caused by nickel. The amount of nickel released was below the detection limit of the electrochemical atomic absorption equipment used in this study. This validates the cathodic protection method in reducing the release of nickel by stainless steel orthodontic appliances.