Corrosion resistance of cobalt-chromium and palladium-silver alloys used in fixed prosthetic restorations

International audienceThe corrosion resistance of a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy was assessed with a view to determining its potential use in the manufacture of fixed dental prostheses. The electrochemical behaviour of the alloy was compared with that of two palladium (Pd)-based alloys. Measurements of corrosion potential and anodic polarization were performed on the alloys, and the specimen surfaces were examined by using scanning electron microscopy. Although the corrosion potential of the Co-Cr alloy was lower than that of the Pd-based alloys, the corrosion currents and polarization resistance values were similar for all three alloys. All materials showed a very high resistance to corrosion. Given that the beneficial mechanical properties of Co-Cr alloys have already been established, this type of alloy may be a suitable alternative for use in the manufacture of fixed dental prostheses

Effect of temperature variation on the cytotoxicity of cast dental alloys and commercially pure titanium

Cell culture system has been used to evaluate alloy cytotoxicity under different environments, testing the extracts, but the effect of temperature variation on the cytotoxicity of dental alloys has not been analyzed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate if temperature variation could affect dental alloy cytotoxicity, testing alloy extracts in an epithelial cell culture system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Discs of Ni-Cr, Co-Cr-Mo, Ni-Cr-Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) were cast by arc melting, under argon atmosphere, injected by vacuum-pressure. Discs were immersed in artificial saliva and subjected to different temperatures: 37ºC and thermocycling (37ºC/5ºC/37ºC/55ºC/37ºC). After thermocycling, extracts were put in a subconfluent culture during 6 h, and the number of cells and their viability were used to evaluate cytotoxicity in these temperatures. For each alloy, data from temperature conditions were compared by Student's t-test (&#945;=0.05). RESULTS: The cytotoxicity tests with alloy/metal extracts showed that Ni-Cr, Co-Cr-Mo, Ti-6Al-4V and cp Ti extracts (p>0.05) did not affect cell number or cell viability, while Ni-Cr-Ti (p<0.05) extract decreased cell number and viability when the alloy was subjected to thermocycling. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, the Ni-Cr-Ti alloy had cell number and viability decreased when subjected to temperature variation, while the other alloys/metal extracts did not show these results