title: Tensile strength analysis of midpontic soldering.
abstract: A total of 120 three-unit fixed partial dentures were made by using a latex mold to produce uniform wax patterns. Four groups were used to compare the tensile strength of connectors with interproximal solder, midpontic vertical solder, midpontic diagonal solder, and a control of one-piece castings. Three different metals were tested and the tensile load required to fracture the samples as well as the fracture sites were recorded. The following was found: Soldering the interproximal connector area produced the weakest solder joints, regardless of metal tested, at p less than .001. There was no significant difference in the fracture loads between midpontic vertical soldering and midpontic diagonal soldering with all three metals at p less than .01. There was no significant difference in fracture loads between midpontic soldering and unit casting with all three metals at p less than .01. The extreme variations in fracture loads when soldering nickel-chrome-beryllium confirms the technique sensitivity of presoldering this alloy.
mesh_terms: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D012994:Dental Soldering / Q000379:methods; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006047:Gold Alloys; D006801:Humans; D012834:Silver; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D006047:Gold Alloys; D012834:Silver