Porcelain bond to laser-welded titanium surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if laser-welding titanium had an effect on the bond strength of porcelain to metal. This is an important consideration since the metal copings for many multi-unit porcelain restorations are fabricated as single units and then either soldered or welded.


METHODS
The bond strength of porcelain to laser-welded titanium was measured with a four-point bending test and the interface was examined using SEM/EDX analysis.


RESULTS
The result showed no statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in bond strengths between laser-welded surfaces and mechanically machined surfaces and neither were there any alterations in composition identified after the welding. The use of a special bonding agent did not improve the bond strength significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Fusing porcelain to laser-welded areas in titanium fixed restorations implies no deterioration of bond strength.
Dérand
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Department of Oral Technology, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden.
D001464:Barium; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D012994:Dental Soldering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014025:Titanium; D014896:Welding / Q000379:methods
D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; C077451:Procera; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D001464:Barium; D014025:Titanium