Aim: To evaluate the adherence of
Streptococcus mutans
to the surface of the amalgam and
copper/aluminum alloy samples and also evaluate the release of metallic ions.
Methods: The
prepared medium was changed every 72 h and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Samples were removed from the prepared medium at 15, 30, 48 and 60 days.
Results: The
result shows that ions released were statistically different among all groups, and so were both
biofilm and pits formation and the corrosion induced by the
S. mutans in both types of samples.
SEM observation of the samples immersed in the prepared medium with
S. mutans showed
adherence of microorganisms on the whole surface, in all groups.
Conclusions: The
S. mutans
adhere to both amalgam and copper/aluminum alloy causing corrosion of those restorations.
S.
mutans produced a greater ions release in Cu/Al alloy; in amalgam, the ions release was not
influenced by exposure to
S. mutans.
