The effects of recasting on the cytotoxicity of dental base metal casting alloys.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: In dentistry, base metal casting alloys are extensively used for the fabrication of inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, partial dentures, etc. During the casting of these alloys, excess amount of material used than needed will be collected as sprue buttons at the end, which is either added to the fresh alloy during casting and reused or disposed of. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of the present in vitro experimental study was to investigate the effect of the complete recasting of four commercially available cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) and nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) base metal casting alloys on their cytotoxicity. During the study, four groups of alloys were subjected to complete recasting up to twenty times without the addition of new alloy. The cytotoxicity assessment of the selected alloys after recasting (Co-Cr and Ni-Cr alloys) was carried out using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. RESULTS: The results indicated that Co-Cr alloys exhibit superior cell viability compared to Ni-Cr alloys, and cytotoxic potential of the alloys increased with repeated casting and led to increased cell death. The recasting of alloys in the present study did not show high cytotoxicity even after the 20th recasting. CONCLUSION: From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the alloys generated as a waste in the dental laboratory can be safely reused up to five times or at least once before they can be disposed, which reduces the cost of the treatment and also helps in conserving the natural resources.

Corrosion Behavior of a Nickel-Base Dental Casting Alloy in Artificial Saliva Studied by Weight Loss and Polarization Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) base dental alloys with desirable properties have been employed in prosthodontics for years. Corrosion behavior of a Ni-Cr base alloy in artificial saliva with different pH values is determined in this work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Corrosion behavior of Ni-Cr alloy was studied in artificial saliva with different pHs (2.5, 5, 7, and 9), using weight loss described by corrosion rate (CR) in mils per year (mpy) and potentiodynamic polarization described by corrosion potential (CP) in mV and current density (CD) in mA/cm2. Surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical difference was determined using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference test with a difference significance of 95%. RESULTS: In the weight loss method, CR was 71.95±3.40, 17.26±1.03, 8.92±0.35, and 6.93±0.54 mpy at pH values of 2.5, 5, 7, and 9, respectively. Significant differences in CR were observed only at pH=2.5, while in CD, they were found at PH=2.5 and 5 (P<0.05). In the polarization method, CP values were significantly different. SEM exhibited the formation of preferential sites of corrosion attacks influenced by pH. CONCLUSION: Both techniques revealed consistent results. Corrosion resistance increases as pH increases towards less acidic conditions. In more acidic saliva, the corrosion rate is greater. The less acidic saliva leads to formation of a more stable passive film on Ni, and the dissolution of Ni decreases, leading to lower CRs.

The relationship between alloying elements and biologically produced ennoblement in natural waters.

A range of stainless steels, nickel-chromium and nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys were exposed to coastal seawater from Mandapam (Indian Ocean) and freshwater from a perennial pond. Biofilms from both test waters produced an ennoblement of the open circuit potential (OCP) on all alloys as expected, which was slower but substantially larger in freshwater. In both waters an interesting relationship was perceived between the plateau OCP (Emax) and the mass percentage of the major alloying elements. In particular, iron exhibited strong positive correlations with Emax (r(2) ≥ 0.77; p < 0.0005), while the sum of chromium, nickel and molybdenum presented significant negative correlations (r(2) ≤ -0.81; p = 0.0002). Consistent with the regression analyses, Euclidean distance clustering yielded patterns where Inconel-600 and the nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys had the smallest similarities of OCP with other alloys. The results emphatically reinforce a key role for surface passive films in the ennoblement phenomenon in natural waters.

Comparative Evaluation of Metal-ceramic Bond Strengths of Nickel Chromium and Cobalt Chromium Alloys on Repeated Castings: An In vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Recasting the base metal alloys is done as a routine procedure in the dental laboratories whenever there is casting failure or to decrease the unit cost of a fixed partial denture. However, this procedure may affect the metal ceramic bond. Furthermore, it is unclear, as to which test closely predicts the bond strength of metal-ceramic interface. The aim was to compare the bond strength of nickel chromium (Ni-Cr) and cobalt chromium (Co-Cr) alloys with dental ceramic on repeated castings using shear bond test with a custom made apparatus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty metal ceramic samples were prepared using Wiron 99 and Wirobond C, respectively. Three subgroups were prepared for each of the groups. The first subgroup was prepared by casting 100% fresh alloy. The second and third subgroups were prepared by adding 50% of fresh alloy and the remnants of the previous cast alloy. The bond load (N) between alloy and dental porcelain was evaluated using universal testing machine using a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, which had a 2500-kgf load cell. Mean values were compared using oneway analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey's test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean shear bond load of A0 (842.10N) was significantly higher than the load of A1 (645.50N) and A2 (506.28N). The mean shear bond load of B0 (645.57N) was significantly higher than the load of B1 (457.35N) and B2 (389.30N). CONCLUSIONS: Significant reduction in the bond strength was observed with the addition of the first recast alloy (A1 and B1) compared with the addition of second recast alloy (A2 and B2). Ni-Cr alloys (664.63N) showed higher bond strengths compared to that of Co-Cr alloys (497.41N). The addition of previously used base metal dental alloy for fabricating metal ceramic restorations is not recommended.

Effect of denture cleansers on metal ion release and surface roughness of denture base materials

Chemical disinfectants are usually associated with mechanical methods to remove stains and reduce biofilm formation. This study evaluated the effect of disinfectants on release of metal ions and surface roughness of commercially pure titanium, metal alloys, and heat-polymerized acrylic resin, simulating 180 immersion trials. Disk-shaped specimens were fabricated with commercially pure titanium (Tritan), nickel-chromium-molybdenum-titanium (Vi-Star), nickel-chromium (Fit Cast-SB Plus), and nickel-chromium-beryllium (Fit Cast-V) alloys. Each cast disk was invested in the flasks, incorporating the metal disk to the heat-polymerized acrylic resin. The specimens (n=5) were immersed in these solutions: sodium hypochlorite 0.05%, Periogard, Cepacol, Corega Tabs, Medical Interporous, and Polident. Deionized water was used as a control. The quantitative analysis of metal ion release was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ELAN DRC II). A surface analyzer (Surftest SJ-201P) was used to measure the surface roughness (µm). Data were recorded before and after the immersions and evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The nickel release proved most significant with the Vi-Star and Fit Cast-V alloys after immersion in Medical Interporous. There was a significant difference in surface roughness of the resin (p=0.011) after immersion. Cepacol caused significantly higher resin roughness. The immersion products had no influence on metal roughness (p=0.388). It could be concluded that the tested alloys can be considered safe for removable denture fabrication, but disinfectant solutions as Cepacol and Medical Interporous tablet for daily denture immersion should be used with caution because it caused greater resin surface roughness and greater ion release, respectively.

Desinfetantes químicos são normalmente associados a métodos mecânicos para remover manchas e reduzir a formação do biofilme. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de desinfetantes na liberação de íons metálicos e na rugosidade superficial do titânio comercialmente puro, ligas metálicas e resina acrílica termopolimerizável, simulando 180 ensaios de imersões. Espécimes em formato de discos foram confeccionados com titânio comercialmente puro (Tritan), liga de níquel-cromo-molibdênio-titânio (Vi-Star), liga de níquel-cromo (Fit Cast-SB Plus) e liga de níquel-cromo-berílio (Fit Cast-V). Os espécimes (n=5) foram imersos nestas soluções: hipoclorito de sódio a 0,05%, Periogard, Cepacol, Corega Tabs, Medical Interporous e Polident. Como controle, foi utilizada a água deionizada. A análise quantitativa de liberação de íons metálicos foi realizada por meio de espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ELAN DRC II). O rugosímetro (Surftest SJ-201P) foi utilizado para medir a rugosidade superficial (µm). Os dados foram registrados antes e depois das imersões e avaliados por ANOVA com dois fatores e teste de Tukey (α=0,05). A liberação de níquel provou ser mais expressiva nas ligas Vi-Star e Fit Cast-V após a imersão em Medical Interporous. Houve diferença significante na rugosidade superficial da resina (p=0,011) após a imersão. O Cepacol causou maior rugosidade superficial de forma significativa. Os produtos de imersão não influenciaram nos resultados da rugosidade do metal (p=0,388). Pode-se concluir que as ligas metálicas testadas podem ser consideradas seguras para a fabricação de próteses removíveis, mas as soluções desinfetantes como o Cepacol e a pastilha Medical Interporous para a imersão diária da prótese devem ser utilizados com cautela, pois causaram maior rugosidade superficial da resina e maior liberação de íons, respectivamente.

Avaliação comparativa de propriedades geradas pelos processos de soldagem TIG e brasagem em uma liga odontológica à base de Ni-Cr / Comparative assessment of properties generated by the process of TIG welding and brazing in a Ni-Cr dental alloy

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar, por meio de teste de microdureza e técnicas de caracterização metalúrgica, que inclui a metalografia, microscopia óptica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia por dispersão de energia (energy dispersive spectroscopy – EDS), propriedades mecânicas e metalúrgicas de juntas soldadas pelos métodos TIG e brasagem em uma liga odontológica à base de Ni-Cr (FIT-CAST SB). As regiões estudadas em cada amostra foram o metal de base (MB), a zona termicamente afetada (ZTA) e a zona de fusão (ZF). Foram confeccionados 40 corpos-de-prova cilíndricos, em forma de bastão, com 2,5mm de diâmetro e 18,0mm de comprimento, obtidos apartir de fundição odontológica por centrifugação (técnica da cera perdida). Foram separados vinte cilindros para cada técnica, que após a soldagem formaram grupos de dez amostras para cada procedimento. A microestrutura do MB apresentou-se como uma matriz de uma solução sólida à base de Ni-Cr contendo um típico arranjo dendrítico de estrutura eutética. A liga apresentou precipitados metálicos na região interdendrítica da estrutura eutética. A análise química semi-quantitativa obtida através da técnica de EDS apresentou resultados compatíveis com a composição química quantitativa fornecida pelo fabricante da liga. Na brasagem, o MB e a ZF apresentaram microestruturas distintas. A ZF apresentou uma morfologia dendrítica grosseira com a presença de precipitados e porosidades. A análise química semi quantitativa por EDS da ZF mostrou-se bastante semelhante aos resultados obtidos para o MB...

The purpose of this study was to compare, by means of microhardness testing and metallurgical characterization techniques as metallography, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), mechanical and metallurgical properties of welded joints by TIG and brazing methods in a dental alloy based on Ni-Cr (FIT-CAST SB). The studied regions in each sample were the base metal (MB), the heat affected zone (ZTA) and the fusion zone (ZF). Forty cylindrical bodies-of-proof, stick-shaped, with 2.5mm diameter and 18.0mm in length were made from dental casting by centrifugation (lost wax technique). Twenty cylinders were used for each technique, which formed, after the welding, groups of ten samples for each procedure. The microstructure of the MB is presented as a matrix of a solid solution based on Ni-Cr with a typical dendritic arrangement of eutectic structure. The alloy presented metallic precipitates in the interdendritic region of the eutectic structure. The semiquantitative chemical analysis obtained by EDS technique showed results consistent with the quantitative chemical composition provided by the alloy manufacturer. In the brazing method, the MB and ZF showed different microstructures. The ZF showed a rough dendritic morphology with the presence of precipitates and porosities. The semiquantitative chemical analysis by EDS of the ZF had very similar results to those obtained for the MB...

Basic study of fabricating dental prosthesis with laser engineered net shaping (LENS) method——The microstructure of LENS components made from Rene95 alloy / 实用口腔医学杂志

objective: To study the effects of laser engineered net shaping(LENS) in the manufacture of dental prosthesis. Methods: An experiment LENS system, including a 5 kW continuous wave CO 2 laser, a four-axes numerical control working table and powder feeding system, was built up, by which, a rectangular LENS component was made from Rene95 alloy powder. The microstructure of the component was observed with scanning electron microscope and ESA analysis. Results: The size of the component was 120 mm?15 mm?15 mm , and the wall of the component was perpendicular to the base. The microstructure of the component was made up of fine columnar dendrite with the length of 10～20 ?m, 10 times less than that of the cast made from the same material. The main elements of the powder distributed homogeneously,the negative effect of segregation could be limited and the properties of the component could be improved.Conclusion: The microstructure of components made by LENS is much better than that of those made by casting from the same material.