title: An audit of the quality of base metal cast restorations provided within the restorative department of a UK dental institute.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gold alloy has long been used in dentistry for the fabrication of cast restorations due to its material and clinical properties and known excellent longevity over long-term follow-up. The cost of gold has increased dramatically in recent years (by 450% in the past ten years). The use of base metal alloys as an alternative would lead to a considerable cost saving: a cobalt chromium alloy is around 98% cheaper than gold alloy at the time of writing. NHS regulations state which alloys are permissible for use in cast restorations in dentistry, and certain 'non-precious gold' alloys should not be used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective audit was carried out in our unit into the standard of cast restorations in cobalt-chromium alloy. The standard set before the audit was established by a prior audit of gold alloy restorations with measures of clinical and technical factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Base-metal alloy restorations were considerably cheaper; but were of a poorer clinical standard than gold-alloy and required more frequent adjustment and remake (17% compared to 5%).
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Restorative Department, Level 6, Leeds Dental Institute, Leeds, LS2 9LU.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Beddis
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry and Acute Dental Care, Restorative Department, Level 6, Leeds Dental Institute, Leeds, LS2 9LU.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ridsdale
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Restorative Department, Cardiff University Dental Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XY.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: Restorative Dentistry, Restorative Department, Level 6, Leeds Dental Institute, Leeds, LS2 9LU.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Nixon
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019230:Dental Audit; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D008670:Metals; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals