Alloys in FPD

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ALLOYS IN FPD

Alloys are used in fixed prosthodontics for crown, bridge, coping and framework fabrication.
These materials are selected on the basis of their reaction in the oral cavity and their mechanical
properties.
Alloys are a combination of two or more metals in molten metal. Single metals are not used clinically
because the properties are not conducive for the physical, chemical and mechanical challenges
provided by the oral environment.
According to GPT “alloy is a mixture of two or more metals or metalloids that are mutually soluble in
the molten state; distinguished as binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., depending on the number of metals
within the mixture; alloying elements are added to alter the hardness, strength, and toughness of a
metallic element, thus obtaining properties not found in a pure metal; alloys may also be classified on
the basis of their behavior when solidified.

General Requirements of Alloy

1) Biological

 Non toxic & non allergic (biocompatibility)


 Resistant to tarnish & corrosion

2) Functional

 Satisfactory physical (aesthetics) and mechanical properties (yield strength)

3) Working

 Easy to process and handle (ease of casting, soldering, burnish-ability)


 Readily available, relatively inexpensive constituents

 Desirable properties of casting alloys

 Exhibit biocompatibility
 Ease of melting
 Ease of casting
 Ease of Brazing and soldering
 Ease of Polishing
 Little solidification shrinkage

ALLOYS USED FOR METAL-CERAMIC RESTORATIONS


1. In a metal-ceramic restoration, the properties of the porcelain cannot be considered alone.
2. The porcelain and metal used for a restoration must have compatible melting temperatures
and coefficients of thermal expansion.
3. Conventional gold alloys have a high coefficient of thermal expansion while conventional
porcelain possesses a much lower value. This difference can produce sufficient shear stress to
produce failure of the bond.
4. The coefficient of thermal expansion of porcelain can be increased by addition of an alkali
such as lithium carbonate while the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal can be
lowered by adding palladium or platinum.
5. The melting range of the alloy used in the coping must be 170⁰C- 280⁰C higher than the
fusing temperature of the porcelain applied to it.
6. A similar melting range of the two materials would result in distortion or melting of the
coping during the firing and glazing of the porcelain.
7. The greater the difference between the melting ranges of the two materials, the fewer the
problems that are encountered during firing.

Many alloys have been used for MCRs.


A classification system proposed by ADA is based on the noble metal content.
a. High noble alloys – have a noble metal ( Au, Pt, Pd) content greater than 60%, with at least
40% gold.
b. Noble alloys- have a noble metal content of at least 25%
c. Predominantly base alloys – have less than 25% noble metal content.

HIGH NOBLE NOBLE PREDOMINANTLY BASE


Gold-platinum-palladium Palladium-silver Nickel-chromium
Gold-palladium-silver High palladium Nickel-chromium-beryllium
Gold-palladium Cobalt-chromium

CHOICE OF ALLOY DEPENDS ON VARIETY OF FACTORS-


i. Cost
ii. Rigidity
iii. Castability
iv. Ease of finishing and polishing
v. Corrosion resistance
vi. Compatibility with specific porcelains, and
vii. personal preference

HOWEVER, NO ALLOY SYSTEM IS SUPERIOR IN ALL ASPECTS.

Base Metal Alloy

Types:

1) Nickel Chromium alloy

2) Cobalt Chromium alloy

3) Titanium and titanium alloys

 
Nickel Chromium alloy

– A substitute for Type III gold alloy

Composition:

Major elements 90% by weight

1. Nickel: 70-80%
2. Chromium: 12-20%

Minor elements 10% by weight

1. Molybdenum: 3-6%
2. Silicon and Manganese
3. Aluminium: 2-6%
4. Beryllium: 0.5%

Cobalt Chromium alloy

 A substitute for Type IV gold alloy


 Almost all RPD frameworks are done by Co/Cr alloys

Composition:

Major elements 90% by weight

1. Cobalt: 35-65%
2. Chromium: 28-30%
3. Nickel: 0-30%

Minor elements 10% by weight

1. Molybdenum: 3-6%
2. Silicon and Manganese
3. Carbon: 0.2%

Titanium alloys

Composition:

1. Titanium alloy
2. Chromium – 5-15%
3. Nickel 5-15%
4. Molybdenum 3%
5. Silicon, Manganese, iron, carbon

 
 

Role of the major elements

Cobalt: Increases strength, hardness, modulus of elasticity

Nickel: Increases strength, hardness, modulus of elasticity and ductility

However, nickel is allergic. Affecting more on females than males like swelling or gingival
discoloration.

Chromium: Tarnish & corrosion resistance increases by passive layer (an oxide layer that is thin,
uniform, non porous, adherent and transparent.

Role of the minor elements

– To increase strength, hardness & decrease ductility

Molybdenum: Grain refiner

Carbon: 0.2% as discontinuous precipitate in the grain boundaries. It affects the hardness, strength
and ductility. Too much carbon will make alloy brittle.

Aluminium: Increases tensile and yield strength. It reacts with nickel forming intermetallic
compound which precipitates inside the solid solution alloy -> precipitation hardening

– To improve cast-ability

Silicone & Manganese: increase fluidity of molten alloy, act as deoxidizer

Beryllium: Decreases the melting temperature (note: beryllium vapor is carcinogenic and may lead to
fibrosis of the lung

DIFFERENT ALLOY SYSTEMS


I. Gold alloys: Gold is one of the oldest metals used in dentistry. Gold has been used in
fabrication of inlays and onlays; post–cores; crowns and bridges; implantology also.
Earlier, casting was the major process for gold fabrication. “Lost wax technique “ is
employed in casting. Nowadays, galvanoforming is also being utilized for gold.
Mostly, gold sub-structures for ceramic layering are prepared for fixed prosthesis,
utilizing electrolysis process. This method makes the gold framework or sub-structure
fracture-resistant, as compared to those fabricated by traditional casting method.
II. Silver-palladium alloys: This alloy contains precious metals other than gold. Zinc,
copper, Manganese, etc. are added to improve the strength of the alloy. Castability
and ceramic-binding properties are improved by adding ruthenium and indium,
respectively. This material is grey in color due to its silver content.These are used for
mostly as sub-structure material.
III. Cobalt chromium alloys: This alloy is very economical, though it requires technical
set-up for being casted. These are used for Removable Partial denture framework
casting, for metal substructure; metal prosthesis for fixed dental prosthesis. This alloy
was first called “ Stellite” due to its metallic luster.
IV. Cobalt-Chromium–Nickel alloys: Their typical chemical composition is: 40% Co,
20% Cr, 15% Ni, 15.8% Fe, 7% Mo, 2% Mn, 0.16% C and 0.04% Be. They have
excellent resistance to corrosion and tarnishing. Hardness, yield strength and tensile
strength are the same as for stainless steel, while the ductility is higher in softened
condition, but it is less after hardening. In addition, it provides the corrosion
resistance and allows the elasticity and toughness to alloys. However, nickel is not
completely safe for the patient’s health, especially for the female population, because
it can cause allergies and dermatitis.
V. Titanium alloys: Titanium has been the most popular metal in dentistry for use in
implants. Pure form of titanium has also been used in restorations and have been
fabricated by casting procedure. A special type of ceramic is being used for the same
because it requires less fusion temperature. Titanium to ceramic bond is still
questionable as the bond-strength is lower than Nickel chromium bond with ceramic.
But, shear strength is better than Gold-ceramic bond.

SUMMARY OF ALLOYS USED IN FPD


1. GOLD-PALLADIUM ALLOYS-
 Proved most significant for MCRs
 Composed of gold- 44%to 55%, palladium 35-45%, with small amount of gallium,
indium, and/or tin.
 Properties –
 Excellent handling characteristics
 Sag resistance
 Esthetic potential
 Porcelain adherence, and
 Biocompatibility
 Drawback-
 High cost make it prohibitive

2. ALLOYS CONTAINING LITTLE OR NO GOLD


 Properties-
 Low cost
 Increased strength and hardness
 High fusion temperatures
 Greater resistance to distortion during porcelain firing
 Problems –
 Excessive oxide formation
 Difficulty in finishing and polishing, and
 Questionable biocompatibility

a. Beryllium – added to alloys to control oxide formation ---- is a carcinogen --- hazardous to
laboratory personnel
b. Nickel – approx.. 5% of population is sensitive to nckel---- contact dermatitis from nickel
containing prosthesis appears to be a risk to some patient
c. Nickel-chromium-beryllium alloys- are significantly more susceptible to tooth brush abrasion
than any other casting alloys used in dentistry.
d. Silver-containing alloys- potential of porcelain discoloration, commonly described as
greening.
CONCLUSION
With so many materials and newer ones coming up, the dentist should have in-depth knowledge about
alloys; their properties; composition of the indicated alloy.

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