Comparison of titanium and cobalt-chromium removable partial denture clasps.
BACKGROUND
The use of titanium alloys for removable partial dentures is an increasingly popular application. While the flexibility of titanium would allow for cast clasps to be placed in deeper undercuts than advisable with cobalt-chromium, it is possible that the retentive forces of the titanium clasp might not maintain sufficient retention after repeated flexing of the clasp arm during insertion and removal of the partial denture.


OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the characteristics of cast clasps made of titanium and titanium alloys to determine whether these materials are suitable alternatives for removable partial denture applications.


METHODS
Removable partial denture clasps at two undercut depths were fabricated from commercially pure titanium, titanium alloy (Ti-6A1-4V), and cobalt-chromium. Loss of retention force was measured as the clasps underwent 3 years of simulated clinical use. The data were subjected to ANOVA and Scheffé's tests to determine differences. Evidence of casting defects and porosity was evaluated by radiographic examination and nonparametric statistics. SEM microscopy was used to observe surface characteristics that were described qualitatively.


RESULTS
For the 0.75 mm undercut specimens, there was less loss of retention for clasps made from pure titanium and titanium alloy than for cobalt-chromium clasps. Porosity was more apparent in the pure titanium and titanium alloy clasps than in those made from cobalt-chromium, but the amount of porosity did not correspond to evidence of fractures or permanent deformation.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term retentive resiliency of the pure titanium and titanium alloy clasps suggests that these materials are suitable for removable partial dentures.
Bridgeman
J T
JT
Department of Biomaterials Science, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Marker
V A
VA
Hummel
S K
SK
Benson
B W
BW
Pace
L L
LL
D000497:Alloys; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D003734:Dental Casting Investment / Q000737:chemistry*; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D016734:Dental Clasps; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018583:Pliability; D016062:Porosity; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D000497:Alloys; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium