Biotribological Properties of Dentures Lubricated with Artificial Saliva

This paper presents the results of tests on the effect of adsorbed films of saliva substitutes on the tribological characteristics of metal alloys based on the example of stainless steel 316LVM and two alloys, Co-Cr-Mo and Ti-6Al-4V. Saliva substitutes were prepared based on animal mucin and xanthan gum dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The adsorbed salivary films significantly reduced the coefficient of friction of the tested biomaterials. Low values of coefficient of friction have been achieved during the tests using PBS + mucin. The analysis of wear of tested materials showed lowest values in the process of friction using PBS + mucin + xanthan gum. An IR analysis of the studied surfaces confirmed the presence of wear marks on the adsorbed salivary films.