Hiroshi Shimizu, DDS, PhD,(a) Fumitake Tsue, DDS,(a) Motofumi Obukuro, DDS,(a) Hirofumi Kido, DDS, PhD,(b) Yutaka Takahashi, DDS, PhD,(a) and Hiroyuki Ohmura, DT(c)
(a)Division of Removable Prosthodontics, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, (b)Division of Oral Implantology, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan, and (c)Fukuoka Branch Office, Dental Laboratory Aishi, Fukuoka, Japan
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the fracture strengths of a metal-based complete maxillary denture with a metal framework (that did not extend to the residual ridge crest), which was made from a cobalt-chromium alloy with high elastic modulus.
Materials and Methods: Sample newly designed metal frameworks of metal-based complete maxillary dentures were cast in a cobalt-chromium alloy with high elastic modulus. The maximum fracture strengths of dentures were measured using a universal testing machine. The mean value was statistically compared to that of a conventional cobalt-chromium alloy measured in a previous study.
Results: The fracture strength of the metal-based complete maxillary dentures made from a cobalt-chromium alloy with high elastic modulus was significantly higher than that of the conventional cobalt-chromium alloy.
Conclusion: The results of this in vitro study indicate that a cobalt-chromium alloy with high elastic modulus provides superior fracture strength for metal-based complete maxillary dentures with a newly designed metal framework. (Int Chin J Dent 2005; 5: 61-64.)
Key Words: cobalt-chromium alloy, elastic modulus, fracture strength, metal-based complete maxillary denture, metal framework.