A short-term clinical follow-up study of superplastic titanium alloy for major connectors of removable partial dentures.
BACKGROUND
Superplastic forming of Ti-6A1-4V alloy has been used in the fabrication of a removable denture framework. The method provides the titanium alloy denture framework with excellent physical properties not seen in cast titanium prostheses.


OBJECTIVE
This study describes the technical procedure for fabricating removable dentures with this type of framework and evaluates clinical applications of the dentures in short-term follow-up periods from 6 months to 3 years.


RESULTS
Results of this study demonstrated that the dentures functioned well and did not cause any major clinical difficulties. The patients have expressed satisfaction with the dentures at regular recall appointments.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical observations suggest that this method is suitable for fabricating titanium alloy removable dentures.
Wakabayashi
N
N
First Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Ai
M
M
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000497:Alloys; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003734:Dental Casting Investment / Q000737:chemistry; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D016734:Dental Clasps; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D004548:Elasticity; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006047:Gold Alloys; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000497:Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D006047:Gold Alloys; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium