Evaluation of welded titanium joints used with cantilevered

implant-supported prostheses
Christopher N. Hart, BDSc, Grad Dip Clin Dent,a and Peter R. Wilson, MDS, MS, PhDb
School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Statement of problem. Early failure of laser-welded titanium implant frameworks in clinical practice has
prompted an investigation of the strength and durability of welded cantilevered titanium sections.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that the use of filler wire in laser welding of
titanium cantilever frameworks had on the flexural strength and fatigue resistance of the welded joints.
Material and methods. Sixty titanium implant-supported frameworks with 12-mm cantilevers were fabri-
cated in 4 groups (n=15), using 3 different laser welding protocols with 0, 1, and 2 weld passes with filler
wire, and 1 conventional tungsten inert gas welding method. The volume of filler wire used (mean volumes
0, 1.7, 3.4, and 8.3 mm3) was determined by measurement of the length of wire before and after welding
each joint. Ten frameworks from each group were tested for ultimate flexural strength by loading the cantilevers
10 mm from the abutment. The remaining 5 frameworks from each group were similarly tested under a simu-
lated masticatory load of 200 N until failure, or to 1 million cycles. A 2-way analysis of variance was used to
examine the flexural strengths, and log-rank statistics were applied to cyclic test data (a=.05).
Results. There were significant differences between the 4 groups for ultimate flexural strength (P,.001) and
resistance to cyclic loading (P=.002). The volume of filler wire added was a significant predictor of ultimate flex-
ural strength (P=.03), and was a borderline determinant of the number of cycles to failure at 200 N (P=.05).
Each laser weld pass with filler wire roughly doubled the ultimate flexural strength and fatigue resistance of
the joint relative to the previous weld. Tungsten inert gas welding with efficient argon shielding deposited
the most filler wire and produced the strongest and most fatigue-resistant joints.
Conclusion. The ultimate flexural strength and fatigue resistance of cantilevered joints in laser-welded tita-
nium prostheses are improved by the use of filler wire. Tungsten inert gas welding with efficient argon shielding
can be used in situations when a high-strength joint is required. (J Prosthet Dent 2006;96:25-32.)

CLINICAL IMPLICATION
Cantilevered joints in prostheses are required to withstand occlusal loading. Increasing the
strength of welded joints in cantilever situations should ensure long clinical service of the
prosthesis.

T he recent use of titanium in implant-supported su-

perstructures for the treatment of edentulous patients
cantilever joints after short clinical exposure has promp-
ted an investigation into their mode of fabrication.
has been driven primarily by the desire to produce light, A study of welded joints of commercially pure tita-
strong frameworks rapidly, without the complications of nium (CPTi) formed using various welding techniques
casting distortion and porosities.1 Fabrication of tita- showed that the equiaxed microstructure of the parent
nium implant-supported complete-arch superstructures metal was retained in the fusion zone with laser welding,
incorporating cantilevers by welding is a routine proce- whereas electric-arc welding (also referred to as tungsten
dure. In particular, the use of the neodymium: yttrium- inert gas (TIG) welding) created a heat-affected zone,
aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to weld titanium which resulted in joints that had predominantly acicular
permits controlled heat application, minimizing distor- microstructures.9 The study concluded that titanium
tion and allowing welding in the presence of veneering joints with acicular microstructures were highly resistant
materials.2-8 However, the failure of welded titanium to tensile stresses, but their fatigue strengths were low.
Authors of a similar study also reported that the hard-
ness and strength of welded titanium are affected by
the presence of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen during
the welding and cooling processes.10 Both studies re-
This article is based on a thesis submitted to the University of Mel- ported that laser and TIG welding resulted in increased
bourne, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree
of Master of Dental Science.
hardness in the heat-affected zone, whereas electron
a
Postgraduate student. beam welding, which was performed under vacuum,
b
Associate Professor, Head of Prosthodontic Unit. had no effect on the hardness in the heat-affected zone.

JULY 2006 THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 25

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY HART AND WILSON

Fig. 2. End and side views of steel testing apparatus showing

stainless steel implants secured with 5-mm metric screws.

to ultimate flexural strength and fatigue resistance test-

ing procedures. A load of 200 N was used for the
cyclical fatigue testing of the welded frameworks.
Fig. 1. Laser welded with filler wire cantilevered frame on A brass welding apparatus (50 3 20 3 20 mm) was
brass welding apparatus. fabricated to mount 2 implant replicas with a space of
15.0 mm between the centers of the implants, and
each implant was secured from 1 side with a 5-mm met-
Early protocols for welded titanium prostheses were ric screw (Fig. 1). A matching apparatus was machined
described by Jemt and Linden,11 and involved the use from steel alloy in which to mount the fabricated frame-
of specially fabricated components. Reports of clinical works for testing. This apparatus had 5-mm metric
longevity are documented for titanium frameworks fab- screws from both sides to secure each implant and to
ricated following these guidelines,11-15 but not all laser- maximize the holding force during testing (Fig. 2).
welded frameworks have followed these protocols.16 As All titanium components and filler wires were made
customization of components is almost universal in fixed from grade 2 commercially pure titanium (CPTi) (Tita-
prosthodontics, it is difficult to standardize the implant nium International, Coolaroo, Australia). One hundred
components used in such situations, making adherence and twenty nonhexed abutment cylinders (5.0 3 10.0
to specific protocols problematic. mm) with a 2.6-mm bore were machined from a
Mean maximum occlusal forces for implant-supported 6-mm CPTi drawn rod, and 120 implant replicas (4.1 3
prostheses have been estimated to be 144 N, and these 15 mm) were machined from 5-mm American Iron
are almost 3 times greater than the forces generated in and Steel Institute (AISI) 306 stainless steel. A 5-mm
masticating cycles with a mean of 50 N.17 For this study, flat surface was machined into the side of each implant,
a load of 200 N was used for the cyclical fatigue testing 2 mm from the bottom, into which a side-screw was fit-
of the welded frameworks, the same as that used in a ted for the purpose of firmly securing the implants in the
study on the changes in component fit of implant- testing apparatus. One hundred twenty rectangular
supported prostheses subjected to simulated functional blanks (5.0 3 2.0 3 12.0 mm) were cut from a
loading.18 On the basis that an individual eats 4 meals 2.0-mm-thick CPTi plate, using a high-pressure abra-
each day, it has been estimated that approximately sive water jet cutting device (Neptune; Farley LaserLab,
1800 masticating strokes are performed daily.19 Thus, Rockford, Ill) to reduce the likelihood of creating heat-
from these studies the life of a welded framework may affected areas in the material. Concave radii (2.5 mm)
also be estimated. were milled into both ends of 60 of the rectangular
The objective of this study was to examine, under blanks to form connectors that fit intimately between
simulated functional loading, the ultimate flexural the 2 abutment cylinders when assembled in the welding
strength and fatigue resistance of clinically sized tita- apparatus. The remaining 60 blanks had the same radius,
nium cantilever frameworks fabricated by 3 laser-weld- machined at one end only, for joining to an abutment as
ing methods using various amounts of filler wire in the cantilever section.
forming the joints, and to compare these with frame- Stainless steel implant replicas were inserted and se-
works fabricated using a standard TIG welding cured in the brass welding apparatus. Titanium abut-
procedure. ments were mounted on the implant replicas and
secured using new stainless steel guide pins (Nobel
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) for each framework. The
Sixty titanium cantilever frameworks were fabricated abutments were examined for correct seating as the
in groups of 15 using 4 different laser and TIG welding guide pins were lightly tightened using a screwdriver.
procedures incorporating various amounts of filler wire. Cantilever framework components were individually as-
The frameworks were then mounted on implant replicas sembled on the apparatus, fitting the connectors with 2
in a custom apparatus, and the cantilevers were subjected concave radii between the 2 abutments mounted on the

26 VOLUME 96 NUMBER 1
HART AND WILSON THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY

Fig. 3. Titanium framework and stainless steel implant components.

apparatus (Fig. 3). The cantilever section with 1 concave V160-T; Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, Ohio)
radius was held in position using tweezers, with the ra- with a 1.6-mm electrode. A polarized direct-current
dius firmly against an abutment, and, using the laser, electrode negative (DCEN) arc was varied to a maxi-
was tack-welded in the corners to hold the compo- mum of 35 amps, and a protective shield of high-purity
nents together for welding. The assembled frameworks argon gas was provided through the torch nozzle at a
were welded in groups of 15 using 4 different welding flow rate of 15 L/min. Additional gas shielding was pro-
procedures: (1) LF0, a single circumferential laser weld vided continuously at a rate of 3 to 4 L/min to the rear
of each joint without filler wire; (2) LF1, an initial cir- of the joint being welded, via a customized shield that
cumferential laser weld, followed by a second weld was connected directly to the gas regulator. Argon gas
pass with the addition of 0.6-mm-diameter CPTi filler shielding was provided to both sides of the joint during
wire in each joint; (3) LF2, the components were laser the welding and cooling process to minimize oxygen
tack welded at the ends, and then a 0.6-mm groove and nitrogen contamination of the metal in the heat-
was cut into each joint to a depth of approximately 0.5 affected zone.
mm using a 0.6-mm noncontaminating separating disc The welded frameworks were then mounted on stain-
(Dedeco Intl Inc, Long Eddy, New York). Then the less steel implant replicas that were placed in the steel
joints were airborne-particle abraded with 50-mm alu- testing apparatus, and new implant replicas were used
minium oxide and cleaned. A laser weld was performed for each framework. New titanium alloy (Ti-Al6-V4)
in each groove, followed by 2 circumferential weld passes abutment screws (CDI, Melbourne, Australia) were
incorporating 0.6-mm-diameter CPTi filler wire; and (4) used to fasten each framework to the implant replicas,
TIG, welds with the introduction of 0.9-mm-diameter and were tightened to a torque of 35 N
cm using a man-
CPTi filler wire at intervals into the molten pool. The ual torque wrench (Manual Torque Wrench, Part No.
lengths of the 0.6-mm- and 0.9-mm-diameter CPTi filler 20-165; Nobel Biocare). The apparatus was mounted
wire (initially cut as 100-mm lengths) were measured in a vise at the base of a universal load testing device
(mm) using 150-mm digital vernier callipers (Lion (Instron Universal Testing Instrument 8501; Instron
[Aust] Consolidated, Croydon, Australia) prior to weld- Engineering, Canton, Mass). The assembly was posi-
ing, and remeasured after welding each joint to allow tioned such that a V-shaped indenter attached to a
calculation of the volume (mm3) of filler wire used. 2000-N load cell would load the cantilever at a point
The length of filler wire was kept constant in each laser 10.0 mm from the abutment cylinder (Fig. 4). The pa-
weld pass; however, this was more difficult with TIG rameters of the loading device were set at a crosshead
welding, as the filler wire was fed into a molten pool. speed of 2 mm/min, and the measurements were cali-
All laser welds were made using an Nd:YAG laser brated at zero deflection of the load cell. Stop limits
welder (LaserStar LYNX; BEGO, Bremen, Germany) were set at 5.0-mm displacement and a maximum load
at 280 V with a 0.6-mm-diameter irradiating focus of 1900 N for safety reasons. Ten frameworks from each
and 10-ms pulses, as per the machine manufacturers in- group were subjected to flexural loading to failure using
structions for welding titanium. High-purity argon gas the universal testing device, and the results were recorded.
(.99.6%; BOC Gases, Melbourne, Australia) was used The remaining 5 frameworks were placed in a closed-
to shield the weld at a flow rate of 15 L/min, with the loop servo-hydraulic testing apparatus (MTS 810
nozzle as close to the work-piece as practical (less than Material Testing System; MTS, Eden Prairie, Minn)
10 mm). and set to oscillate at a frequency of 10 Hz in a half sinus-
Tungsten inert gas welds were made using a micro- oidal waveform with a cyclical load between 15 6 2 N
processor-controlled TIG welding machine (Invertec and 200 6 5 N. Automatic limiters stopped oscillation

JULY 2006 27
THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY HART AND WILSON

Fig. 4. TIG-welded specimen mounted on apparatus for Fig. 5. Laser-welded specimen with filler wire added, show-
cyclic load testing at 200 N. ing fracture through weld zone.

Table I. Descriptive statistics of ultimate flexural strength

(N) and weld filler volume (mm3)
Minimum Maximum Mean load Mean volume
Group load load (SD) (SD)

LF0 226 263 243.5 (10.5)

LF1 427 460 445.7 (10.0) 1.70 (0.13)
LF2 737 782 755.9 (15.2) 3.44 (0.15)
TIG 1180 1812 1277.2 (190.1) 8.39 (1.03)
n=10.

The Cox proportional hazards model was used to con-

sider the volume of filler wire as well as the censoring.

Fig. 6. Failure of TIG-welded specimen showing deformation

RESULTS
rather than fracture. Note large radius of weld. All of the laser-welded CPTi cantilever joints failed
through brittle fracture within the weld in both tests
(Fig. 5), whereas the TIG welds failed only by plastic de-
when the amplitude exceeded 2.0 mm, as a safety mech- formation and only in the flexural strength test (Fig. 6).
anism, and at 106 cycles. If failures occurred during The first 3 cyclic loading tests of TIG-welded frame-
fatigue loading, the number of cycles withstood was works were censored at 1,000,000 cycles. The testing
recorded. Data were entered into a spreadsheet (Micro- of the fourth TIG-welded framework stopped automat-
soft Excel; Microsoft Corp, Redmond, Wash) in prepa- ically at 866,473 cycles when the abutment screws failed
ration for statistical analysis. The microstructures and in the apparatus, rendering the apparatus unusable.
hardness of the laser- and TIG-welded joints were not Thus, the fifth TIG-welded framework could not be
examined in this study, as the effects of welding and tested.
heat on titanium microstructure and hardness have The ultimate flexural strengths for all 4 groups
been previously reported.9-10 ranged from 226 N to 1812 N, with no overlap between
The results of the ultimate flexural strength tests were the results of any of the groups. Descriptive statistics of
analyzed using a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the flexural strengths are summarized in Table I, and
accounting for the sample group and the volume of filler represented by a box plot (Fig. 7). Each laser weld pass
wire used in each joint. Post hoc comparisons were with filler wire approximately doubled the ultimate flex-
performed using the Tukey adjustment for multiple ural strength of the previous weld. The volume of filler
comparisons. A standard nonparametric analysis, the wire used in each weld was another variable measured
log-rank statistic, was performed on the results of the cy- and was consistent within each group. A plot of load
clic loading tests due to the presence of censored data, against the volume of filler wire added is presented
and separate pair-wise comparisons were also made us- (Fig. 8). Across the range of volumes there appears to
ing the log-rank test between each of the pairs of groups. be a roughly linear relationship with strength.

28 VOLUME 96 NUMBER 1
HART AND WILSON THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY

Fig. 7. Box plot of ultimate flexural strength (N) for 4 groups; outlier in TIG group represented by bar (1812 N).

Fig. 8. Scatter plot of ultimate flexural strength (N) compared to volume of filler wire added.

A 2-way ANOVA was fitted to the data, with both flexural strength of 291.5 N (SE mean 22.3 N), LF1
volume and group as explanatory variables for load. had a mean flexural strength of 468.4 N (SE mean
However, there was an outlier in the TIG group that vi- 11.3 N), LF2 had a mean flexural strength of 752.4 N
olated the assumptions of the analysis. The results of the (SE mean 5.6 N), and the TIG group was the strongest,
ANOVA with the outlier removed are summarized in with a mean flexural strength of 1143.1 N (SE mean
Table II. There were highly significant differences 34.1 N).
(P,.001) between the mean loads for the 4 groups, A statistical description of the results of the cyclic
even after adjusting for volume. This demonstrates loading fatigue testing at 200 N is presented in Table
that not all groups had a common mean. The effect of III. Using a standard nonparametric analysis of these
group was also highly significant (P,.001) for all 6 data that allows for the censoring involved, the log-
pair-wise differences between types of welds using the rank statistic was 39.3 (df=3, P,.001), indicating that
Tukey adjustment for multiple comparisons. The there is significant evidence of a difference between
ANOVA also showed that there was a statistically signif- the groups. Separate pair-wise comparisons were also
icant linear relationship (P=.033) for load with volume made using the log-rank test between each of the pairs
of filler wire after adjusting for group. of groups. All of these tests were significant, with
Calculation of least squares mean values for load, P=.002 in each case (or P=.012 after adjustment for
adjusted for volume, showed that LF0 had a mean multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method), a

JULY 2006 29
THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY HART AND WILSON

Fig. 9. Scatter plot of cycles to failure at 200 N versus volume of filler wire added.

Table II. 2-way ANOVA for load, using adjusted sum of Table III. Descriptive statistics of number of cycles to
squares for tests without TIG outlier failure and weld filler volume (mm3)
Source df Seq SS Adj SS Adj MS F P Minimum Maximum Mean cycles Mean volume
Group cycles cycles (SD) (SD)
Volume 1 4937279 1431 1431 4.94 .033
Group 3 147356 147356 49119 169.68 ,.001 LF0 18955 20224 19794 (589)
Error 34 9842 9842 289 LF1 39125 75377 48601 (15059) 1.68 (0.14)
Total 38 5094478 LF2 125483 264863 208214 (58652) 3.29 (0.21)
TIG 886473 1000000 Censored 8.14 (0.83)
Seq SS, Sequential sum of squares; Adj SS, adjusted sum of squares; Adj MS,
adjusted mean square.

consequence of complete separation of the number of the operator has over the volume of filler wire being
cycles to failure between the groups. The specimens added, as it is introduced by overlapping small laser
endured between 18,995 cycles and censorship at pulses with the weld progressing by 0.1 mm to 0.2
1,000,000 cycles. All 3 laser-welded groups failed below mm per pulse. By maintaining consistent weld bead di-
300,000 cycles. The volume of filler wire introduced mensions, close control over the amount and distribu-
into these welds was also consistent within each group. tion of weld metal is possible. It is likely that this is one
A scatter plot of the relationship between the number of the reasons why little variation in strength within
of cycles at 200 N to failure and the volume of filler experimental groups is found in most of the published
wire added for each of the groups is shown (Fig. 9). studies relating to laser-weld testing.3,10
When both filler wire volume and group were included, Introducing filler wire increases the volume of weld
the Cox proportional hazards model for censored data material, significantly improving the ultimate flexural
showed that volume was a borderline predictor of the strength and also increasing the number of cycles en-
number of cycles to failure (P=.05), whereas group dured before fatigue failure. The significant differences
was not (P=.7). between the 3 laser-welded groups suggests that in-
creasing the volume of the weld is an important variable
that is likely related to the operator, as the operator has
DISCUSSION
direct control over the preparation of the joint and the
A narrow range of results within each of the laser- amount of filler wire introduced into the joint. By fol-
welded groups was observed for both ultimate flexural lowing standard welding procedures of preparing weld
strength and fatigue resistance tests. The welding condi- joints, grinding a tapered end or cutting a groove into
tions, which include machine settings, shielding gas the joint creates a deeper weld zone. The resultant use
flow, and volume of filler added, are determined by of more filler wire to produce a larger weld increased
the operator. If these parameters are matched, it should the strength of the joint.
be possible to reproduce the same results. The small var- The TIG-welded group was significantly different
iation in the amounts of weld filler wire introduced into from the laser-welded groups in flexural strength
any of the laser-welded joints is due to the fine control tests, as the cantilevers all sustained loads in excess of

30 VOLUME 96 NUMBER 1
HART AND WILSON THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY

1000 N. Ignoring volume, there are large average load magnification, so that adequate heat is provided to form
differences between the 4 groups; however, when vol- a weld into both components. This is complicated by the
ume is considered, the evidence for differences between potential for reflection of the beam off the surface of the
the groups is far less clear-cut. The ANOVA showed that weldment.
across the 4 groups there was a significant linear relation- To melt filler wire, increased heat input is required,
ship (P=.033) for load with volume. In fatigue testing, which is normally associated with problems of distor-
3 of the TIG-welded frameworks endured 1,000,000 tion, and consequent misfit of bounded sections will
cycles of 200-N load, and the fourth framework stopped occur. However, in the fabrication of cantilevers by
at 860,473 cycles due to fracture of the abutment re- welding, this can be less of a problem, as adjustments
taining screws. As there are such significant differences can be made after welding.2 By fabricating the cantilever
between the groups, the effect of this failure on the re- section first using either TIG welding or laser welding
sults is minimal. The amount of filler wire used in the with added filler wire, laser welds use less heat and may
TIG welding process was greater and more variable then be used for creating the bounded sections between
than for the laser-welded specimens. A TIG welder in- abutments, where distortion is best minimized. Alterna-
puts more heat, melting more metal and filler wire, to tively, abutments with prefabricated cantilevers could
make a larger, deeper, and stronger joint. However, var- be commercially manufactured, and these joined using
iations in the shape and depth of the TIG welds appear laser welding with filler wire to form a cantilevered
to affect the strength of TIG-welded joints, as seen by superstructure.
the variations for load with the volume of filler wire It was noted that the TIG-welded joints in this study
used in the flexural strength tests. failed only by plastic deformation, whereas others re-
The significant differences (P,.001) between the ported that TIG welds failed by brittle fracture in the
groups suggest that the fatigue resistance may be more heat-affected zone.9,10 Failure by plastic deformation
likely related to the volume of filler wire added in this study indicates that the metal in the heat-affected
(P=.05) than the group itself (P=.7). That is, after ac- zone of the joint is not hard or brittle. This is most likely
counting for a volume of weld effect, it was shown due to the more efficient protection of the heat-affected
that the strength of a TIG weld is not intrinsically differ- zone during the welding and cooling processes by argon
ent from that of a laser weld. flowing directly onto both sides of the weld area, rather
The high outlier in the flexural strength test for the than welding beneath an argon blanket under a dome.
TIG-welded group significantly affected the statistical The effect of protecting the heat-affected zone from
analysis. This may be indicative of the variation that oxygen and nitrogen during welding and, just as impor-
can be expected from this welding method; however, tantly, during the cooling process, was demonstrated by
the production of stronger welds is beneficial to the lon- studies that reported that electron beam welding of
gevity of a prosthesis. The fact that the outlier was also CPTi carried out under a vacuum, and allowed to cool
the specimen that used the most filler wire further rein- under vacuum, resulted in no change in the hardness
forces the trend of greater filler volumes producing of the metal in the heat-affected zone.9,10
stronger joints. When the technique for producing a It is not possible from the small sample size to draw
TIG weld is considered, it should be appreciated that conclusions relating to minimum flexural strengths re-
the device used was a commercial welding unit, designed quired to provide fatigue resistance under masticatory
to be used on objects of a larger scale than the implant loads. However, it is suggested that increasing the
components assembled. It is extremely difficult to have amount of filler wire deposited in laser-welded joints
as precise a control over a plasma arc as one can have may improve the strength and fatigue resistance of the
over a focused laser beam. The filler wire is melted framework.
into the weld pool in essentially uncontrolled droplets. The difficulty of applying the findings of these results
The volume of these droplets is likely to be determined to clinical situations is related to the large clinical vari-
by the diameter of the wire, the proximity to the arc, op- ation. The magnitude of the applied masticatory and
erator dexterity, and possibly the angle at which the filler parafunctional forces is not easily quantifiable, and the
wire is introduced to the weld pool. Hence, not only is dimensions of a superstructure will be dictated by
control over the amount of filler wire added to the mol- the space available for the definitive restoration and
ten weld pool difficult, but also the depth and distribu- the veneering material selected. A conservative estimate
tion of the molten weld pool throughout the weld joint, of 50 maximal occlusal forces per day equates to 18,000
resulting in variations in flexural strength relative to the cycles per year. Hence, it could be inferred that the ob-
volume of filler wire. servations of these laser-welded groups represent clinical
Conversely, for laser-formed welds, where the small failures of up to 10 years function. This would suggest
focal diameter and the localized nature of the weld that the use of laser welding without filler wire to pro-
zone mean that control over the weld region is im- duce titanium frameworks for definitive prostheses
proved, it is necessary to precisely align the beam under should be cautioned against, unless the strength of the

JULY 2006 31
THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY HART AND WILSON

weld is improved by increasing the volume of filler wire 6. Roggensack M, Walter MH, Boning KW. Studies on laser- and plasma-
welded titanium. Dent Mater 1993;9:104-7.
added. Its application to provisional restorations may be 7. Yamagishi T, Ito M, Fujimura Y. Mechanical properties of laser welds of
appropriate. titanium in dentistry by pulsed Nd:YAG laser apparatus. J Prosthet Dent
Laser welding presents a method of joining titanium 1993;70:264-73.
8. Gordon TE, Smith DL. Laser welding of prosthesesan initial report.
that can produce consistent results with low distortion, J Prosthet Dent 1970;24:472-6.
and may be useful in creating implant-bounded sections. 9. Wiskott HW, Doumas MT, Scherrer SS, Susz C, Belser UC. Microstruc-
TIG welding can be used to produce consistently strong tures of brazings and welds using grade 2 commercially pure titanium.
Int J Prosthodont 2001;14:40-7.
welded titanium joints, but the technique is more 10. Wang RR, Welsch GE. Joining titanium materials with tungsten inert gas
demanding. welding, laser welding, and infrared brazing. J Prosthet Dent 1995;74:
521-30.
11. Jemt T, Linden B. Fixed implant-supported prostheses with welded tita-
CONCLUSION nium frameworks. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 1992;12:177-84.
12. Jemt T, Henry P, Linden B, Naert I, Weber H, Bergstrom C. A comparison
Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded of laser-welded titanium and conventional cast frameworks supported by
that the ultimate flexural strength (P=.03) and fatigue implants in the partially edentulous jaw: a 3-year prospective multicenter
study. Int J Prosthodont 2000;13:282-8.
resistance (P=.05) of cantilevered joints in laser-welded 13. Ortorp A, Jemt T. Clinical experiences of implant-supported prostheses
titanium prostheses are influenced by the volume of filler with laser-welded titanium frameworks in the partially edentulous jaw:
wire used in producing the welds. Early failure of pros- a 5-year follow-up study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 1999;1:84-91.
14. Bergendal B, Palmqvist S. Laser-welded titanium frameworks for implant-
theses can be expected where laser welding is performed supported fixed prostheses: a 5-year report. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants
without the addition of filler wire. Increasing the size 1999;14:69-71.
and depth of a laser weld by joint preparation allows 15. Bergendal B, Palmqvist S. Laser-welded titanium frameworks for fixed
prostheses supported by osseointegrated implants: a 2-year multicenter
for increased filler wire deposition, resulting in increased study report. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 1995;10:199-206.
strength and durability of the joint. Tungsten inert gas 16. Johansson LA, Ekfeldt A. Implant supported fixed partial prostheses: a ret-
welding, which deposited the largest volume of filler rospective study. Int J Prosthodont 2003;16:172-6.
17. Haraldson H, Carlson GE. Bite force and oral function in patients with
wire, produced the strongest joints. The strength of osseointegrated oral implants. Scand J Dent Res 1977;85:200-8.
TIG-welded joints, however, is dependent on the effec- 18. Hecker DM, Eckert SE. Cyclic loading of implant-supported prostheses:
tive argon gas shielding of the heat-affected zone during changes in component fit over time. J Prosthet Dent 2003;89:346-51.
19. Graf H. Bruxism. Dent Clin North Am 1969;13:659-65.
the welding and cooling processes.
Reprint requests to:
The authors thank Mr Joseph Palamara, Mr Peter Vryionis, and Mr
DR PETER R. WILSON
George Thalassinos for their technical assistance, and Professor Ian SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCE
Gordon for his invaluable assistance with the statistical design and FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
interpretation. THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
711 ELIZABETH STREET
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, 3000
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