title: Elemental composition of imported porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns--a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify any potentially toxic elements in porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns and a bridge manufactured in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight PFM crowns and part of a bridge were sourced from China for testing. They were given a typical glaze firing cycle prior to scanning electron microscope analysis. Electron dispersive spectroscopic spot and mapping analysis was carried out on the porcelain/metal collar interface areas in order to determine their elemental composition and distribution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No toxic elements were detected. The alloy used in the crowns was a nickel-chromium base metal, and that in the bridge was a gold-palladium noble alloy. The veneering porcelain was similar to a standard dental veneering porcelain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of the testing method and small sample size, no toxic elements were detected.
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. neil.waddell@dent.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Waddell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Girvan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aarts
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Swain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003442:Crowns; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D004602:Elements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009520:New Zealand; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D004602:Elements; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys