How to cite this article: Brandão GAM, Simas RM, Almeida LM, Silva JM, Meneghim MC, Pereira AC, Almeida HA, Brandão AMM. Evaluation of ionic degradation and slot corrosion of metallic brackets by the action of different dentifrices. Dental Press J Orthod. 2013 Jan-Feb;18(1):86-93. » The authors report no commercial, proprietary or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article. Objective: To evaluate the in vitro ionic degradation and slot base corrosion of metallic brackets subjected to brushing with dentifrices, through analysis of chemical composition by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and qualitative analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).Methods: Thirty eight brackets were selected and randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 7). Two groups (n = 5) worked as positive and negative controls. Simulated orthodontic braces were assembled using 0.019 x 0.025-in stainless steel wires and elastomeric rings. The groups were divided according to surface treatment: G1 (Máxima Proteção Anticáries introduction Deterioration and corrosion of orthodontic appliances is a concern for orthodontists in their clinical practice. This attention is focused in two main questions: If the corrosion by products, whether they are produced, are absorbed by the organism and can cause local or systematic effects; and which effects the corrosion has on the physical properties and clinical performance of orthodontic appliances. There are evidences that support the deleterious effects of the buccal environment on structural alterations of metallic biomaterials.23 Eliades et al 6,7 tested orthodontic materials and did not find ion release by nickel-titanium alloys, but observed levels of nickel and chromium released by stainless steel alloys. No material was mentioned as cytotoxic, probably due low quantity of released ions or for the way they link.The several appliances (brackets, arch wires, etc.) used during orthodontic treatment to obtain the dental movement are composed of materials with distinct physical integrity, structural compositions and mechanical properties. Their requirements are complex for they are put under many stresses in the oral environment. This includes immersion in saliva and ingested liquids, temperature variation, mastication efforts and the loading submitted to the appliances. The combination of these materials and hostile conditions provided by the environment can result in corrosion, ion release and deterioration of these appliances. The interactions that these corrosion by products can have on the manifestation of local or systematic problems in the individual's health is not well corroborated and comprehended in literature, 3,4,11 despite numerous case reports of hypersensitivity to nickel 13,21 and alterations on the ionic concentration of body fluids.