Dental Alloys Classification and Properties

Dental Alloys

Classification

• Noble Alloys: High in gold, platinum, and palladium content (>40%)
• Non-Noble Alloys: Lower in gold, platinum, and palladium content (<40%)
• Base Metal Alloys: Contain non-precious metals like nickel, chromium, and titanium

Properties

• Corrosion Resistance: Ability to resist corrosion in oral environment
• Strength: Resistance to deformation and fracture
• Ductility: Ability to be shaped without breaking
• Hardness: Resistance to scratching and wear
• Biocompatibility: Ability to withstand oral tissues without adverse reaction

Types of Dental Alloys

• Gold Alloys: High in gold content (>75%), used for inlays, onlays, and crowns
• Silver-Palladium Alloys: Used for crowns, bridges, and dentures
• Copper Alloys: Used for dentures and orthodontic appliances
• Titanium Alloys: Used for implants, crowns, and bridges due to high strength, low density, and biocompatibility
• Cobalt-Chromium Alloys: Used for partial dentures, crowns, and bridges due to high strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility

Manufacturing Processes

• Casting: Melting and pouring alloy into a mold to create a desired shape
• Forging: Shaping alloy through heat and pressure
• Machining: Cutting and shaping alloy through mechanical means
• Welding: Joining two alloy pieces together through heat and pressure

Clinical Applications

• Restorative Dentistry: Used for inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges
• Prosthodontics: Used for dentures, partial dentures, and implant-supported prosthetics
• Orthodontics: Used for orthodontic appliances and brackets
• Implantology: Used for dental implants and implant-supported prosthetics