title: Experimental titanium alloys for dental applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the use of titanium has increased, casting difficulties limit routine use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to compare the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the experimental titanium alloys titanium-5-zirconium, titanium-5-tantalum, and titanium-5-tantalum-5-zirconium (in wt%) with those of commercially pure titanium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens of titanium alloys and commercially pure titanium were cast by using plasma. Their modulus of elasticity and ultimate tensile strength were determined in a universal testing machine. Biocompatibility was evaluated with SCC9 cells. In periods of 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days, cell proliferation was evaluated by the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium reduction assay, and cell viability was evaluated in the 7-day period. Cell morphology was evaluated at 2, 12, and 24 hours. Modulus of elasticity, ultimate tensile strength, and cell viability were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni test; cell proliferation data were compared by 2-way ANOVA (alloy versus time) and by the Bonferroni test; and the cell morphology data were analyzed by split-plot design. All statistical tests were performed at the 95% confidence level (P<.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Titanium-5-tantalum presented the lowest modulus of elasticity and ultimate tensile strength, whereas titanium-5-zirconium and titanium-5-tantalum-5-zirconium were statistically similar to commercially pure titanium. Cell proliferation and viability were not affected by any alloy being similar to those observed for commercially pure titanium. No noticeably differences were found in the morphology of cells cultured on any alloy and commercially pure titanium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experimental alloys, especially titanium-5-zirconium and titanium-5-tantalum-5-zirconium, presented promising mechanical results for future studies and clinical applications. In addition, these alloys, evaluated by cell proliferation, viability, and morphology, were found to be biocompatible in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Specialist, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana C L
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata C S
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Full Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adalberto L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Full Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: rribeiro@forp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Ricardo F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D058626:Plasma Gases; D018583:Pliability; D013635:Tantalum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D058626:Plasma Gases; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C000599177:Ti-Zr alloy; D013635:Tantalum; D014025:Titanium; C022616:thiazolyl blue