Fit of cast commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy crowns before and after marginal refinement by electrical discharge machining.

摘要

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Titanium has been suggested as a replacement for alloys currently used in single-tooth restorations and fixed partial dentures. However, difficulties in casting have resulted in incomplete margins and discrepancies in marginal fit. PURPOSE: This study evaluated and compared the marginal fit of crowns fabricated from a commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and from Ti-6Al-4V alloy with crowns fabricated from a Pd-Ag alloy that served as a control. Evaluations were performed before and after marginal refinement by electrical discharge machining (EDM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five bovine teeth were prepared to receive complete cast crowns. Stone and copper-plated dies were obtained from impressions. Fifteen crowns were cast with each alloy (CP Ti, Ti-6Al-4V, and Pd-Ag). Marginal fit measurements (in micrometers) were recorded at 4 reference points on each casting with a traveling microscope. Marginal refinement with EDM was conducted on the titanium-based crowns, and measurements were repeated. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, paired t test, and independent t test at a 1% probability level. RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences among mean values of marginal fit for the as-cast CP Ti crowns (mean [SD], 83.9 [26.1] microm) and the other groups: Ti-6Al-4V (50.8 [17.2] microm) and Pd-Ag (45.2 [10.4] microm). After EDM marginal refinement, significant differences were detected among the Ti-6Al-4V crowns (24.5 [10.9] microm) and the other 2 groups: CP Ti (50.6 [20.0] microm) and Pd-Ag (not modified by EDM). Paired t test results indicated that marginal refinement with EDM effectively improved the fit of CP Ti crowns (from 83.9 to 50.6 microm) and Ti-6Al-4V crowns (from 50.8 to 24.5 microm). However, the difference in improvement between the two groups was not significant by t test. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, despite the superior results for Ti-6Al-4V, both groups of titanium-based crowns had clinically acceptable marginal fits. After EDM marginal refinement, the fit of cast CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V crowns improved significantly.