title: [Titanium-alloy vs. CoCr-alloy in removable partial dentures--a clinical study].
abstract: Different types of titanium-alloys instead of CoCr-alloys have been tested as material for the framework of removable partial dentures (RPD). Adequate casting and processing techniques have been developed which enable to fabricate frameworks of complex designs and the problem limits porosity. This opened new possibilities for the use of titanium-alloys with improved properties (E-module). The aim of this study was to summarise the use of titanium in removable prosthodontics and to evaluate prospectively the use of the Ti6A17Nb-alloy for RPDs in a small group of patients. Two identically designed RPDs from CoCr-alloy (remanium GM 800+) and Ti6A17Nb-alloy (girotan L) were produced for ten patients. They had to wear each RPD during six months, first the CoCr-RPD and then the Ti6A17Nb-RPD. A questionnaire (visual analogue scale = VAS) was completed by the patients after one, three and six months of function for each RPD. Prosthetic complications and service needed were recorded. After the end of the entire observation period of twelve months, the patients remained with the Ti6A17Nb-RPD and answered the questionnaire after another six months. All parameters regarding the design of the RPDs were positively estimated by the dentist. Minimal, not significant differences were noted by the patients concerning comfort, stability and retention (VAS). Clinically, no differences in technical aspects or regarding biological complications were observed after six-months periods. The Ti6A17Nb-alloy (girotan L) for the framework of RPDs was judged by patients and professionals to be equivalent to RPDs made from CoCr-alloy. No differences in material aspects could objectively be observed. The Ti6A17Nb-alloy can be beneficial for patients with allergies or incompatibility with one or several components of the CoCr-alloy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Zahnmedizinische Kliniken der Universität Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, CH-3010 Bern. joannis.katsoulis@zmk.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Joannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katsoulis
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mericske-Stern
mesh_terms: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003035:Cobalt; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003779:Denture Design; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; C070282:Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy; D003035:Cobalt; D014025:Titanium