Journal of Dental Medicine

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Recently. Minalux alloy, a base metal free from Be, has been presented on the market while no special soldering has been recommended for it. On the other hand, based on the manufacturer's claim, this alloy is similar to Verabond2. The aim of this study was to investigate the tensile strength of Minalux and Verabond2, soldered by Verasolder. Twelve standard dambble shape samples, with the length of 18 mm and the diameter of 3mm, were prepared from each alloy. Six samples of each alloy were divided into two pieces with carboradom disk. Soldering gap distance was 0.3mm, measured by a special jig and they were soldered by Verasolder alloy. Six other samples, of both Iranian and foreign unsoldered alloys were considered as control group. Then samples were examined under tensile force and their tensile strength was recorded. Two- way variance analysis showed that the tensile strength of Minalux alloy and Verabond2 were not statistically significant (Verasoler 686, Minalux 723), but after soldering, such difference became significant (Minalux 308, Verabond2 432). Verabond2 showed higher tensile strength after soldering.

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Statement of Problem: Nowadays economical issues on high gold alloys have changed the practice of metal-ceramic restorations toward base-metal alloys. Minalux is one of the base-metal alloys produced in Iran. Marginal fitness is of high importance to be evaluated in dental alloys.
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the marginal adaptation of two base-metal alloys, Minalux (Mavadkaran Co. Iran) and VeraBond2 (Aibadent Co. USA ) during firing cycles of porcelain.

 Materials and Methods: In an experimental study 24 standard brass dies, with 135° chamfer finishing line were fabricated by Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) milling machine. The samples were randomly divided in two groups, A and B, 12 in each. Following wax-up, the samples were equally cast with two mentioned alloys. In each group, there were 4 controlled samples, which proceeded to firing cycle without veneering porcelain. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements of marginal gap from buccal and lingual aspects were performed after 4 stages of casting, degassing, porcelain application and glazing. The data were analyzed using Four-way ANOVA and multiple comparative test based on Tukey criteria.

 Results: The findings of this study revealed that there was no significant difference in the marginal gap of Minalux (31.10±7.8u.m) and VeraBond2 (30.27±6.96u.m) with confidence level at 0.95 (P=0.43). For both alloys the greatest gap was observed after degassing stage (P<0.05). Porcelain and porcelain veneering proximity caused significant changes in the marginal gap of Minalux castings (P<0.05), however, such changes did not occur in VeraBond2 (PO.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the marginal gaps of two base metal alloys, Minalux and VeraBond2, were proved to be identical and that of the Minalux alloy existed in the range of acceptable clinical application. It was also concluded that Minalux dental alloys could provide proper marginal adaptation.

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Statement of Problem: One of newly presented base metal alloys (Minalux) is produced according to VeraBond2 alloy (Ni- Cr base) composition. Several studies showed that, cytotoxicity of base metal alloys can be occurred due to corrosion and element release.

Purpose: This study evaluated the biocompatibility of these two base metal alloys in three steps: as cast, after polishing and after porcelain firing cycles. Release of Ni and Cr ions were measured to determine if there is any difference between these two alloys.

Materials and Methods: Samples of two base metal alloys were subjected to Neutral Red Assay, MTT Assay and Trypan Blue for biocompatibility tests. Fibroblast Balb/c 3T3 cells were used for cell culture. Samples were contacted directly with cells in 37ºc and 5% Co2 concentration for 72 hours. Teflon samples were used as negative control. ANOVA test was used to compare different groups of two alloys. In addition, the release of Ni and Cr ions in to saline solution was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: MTT and Trypan Blue didn’t show any significant difference between Minalux, VeraBond2 and Teflon. Neutral Red Assay showed no significant difference between these two base metal alloys but as cast group was higher in cytotoxicity in comparisons with polished and firing groups in both two alloys. Release of Cr ion was non detectable (Cr < 1 PPB) but Ni ion was measured and Ni release was significantly different in as cast groups (P=0.007) of two alloys.

Conclusion: There is no significant difference between cytotoxicity of two base metal alloys and polishing and firing can decrease cytotoxicity of both alloys.

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Statement of Problem: One of the greatest problems in metal –ceramic restorations is debonding of porcelain from dental alloys. Production of dental alloys by Iranian companies necessitates the evaluation of physical and handling properties of these products.

Purpose: In this study the bond strength between porcelain and two types of base metal alloys, Supercast (with beryllium) and Minalux (without beryllium) was investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 10 cylindric bars from each base metal alloy were prepared. The bars were degassed and porcelain was applied around them in a disc form (8 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness). The bond strength of porcelain to metal bars was tested with the shear strength test by Instron. Data were analyzed with student t-test and P<0.05 was considered as the limit of significance.

Results: The mean failure load was 71.58±6.4 KgF for Supercast and 67.34±5.48 for Minalux alloy. The bond strength of Supercast and Minalux were 55.85±4.99 MPa and 52.54±4.27 MPa respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P0.001).

Conclusions: This study showed that nickel-chromium-beryllium alloy (Supercast) produced significantly better ceramometal bonding than nickel chromium alloy without beryllium (Minalux).

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Background and Aim: The improvement of the physical and chemical properties of resins as well as great advances achieved in the field of chemical bonding of resin to metal has changed the trend of restorative treatments. Today the second generation of laboratory resins have an important role in the restoration of teeth. The clinical bond strength should be reliable in order to gain successful results. In this study the shear bond strength (SBS) between targis (a ceromer) and two alloys (noble and base metal) was studied and the effect of thermocycling on the bond investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, alloys samples were prepared according to the manufacturer. After sandblasting of bonding surfaces with 50µ AI2o3 Targis was bonded to the alloy using Targis I link. All of the samples were placed in 37°C water for a period of 24 hours. Then half of the samples were subjected to 1000 cycles of thermocycling at temperatures of 5°C and 55°C. Planear shear test was used to test the bond strength in the Instron machine with the speed rate of 0.5mm/min. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare the bond strength among the groups. T test was used to compare the alloys. The influence of thermocycling and alloy type on bond strength was studied using Mann Whitney test. P<0.05 was considered as the limit of significance.

Result: The studied alloys did not differ significantly, when the samples were not thermocycled (P=0.136) but after thermocycling a significant difference was observed in SBS of resin to different alloys (P=000.1). Thermal stress and alloy type had significant interaction, with regard to shear bond strength (P=0.003). There was a significant difference in SBS before and after thermocycling in noble alloys (P=0.009), but this was not true in base metals (P=0.29). Maximum SBS (19.09 Mpa) belonged to Degubond 4, before thermocycling. Minimum SBS (8.21 Mpa) was seen in Degubond 4 after thermocycling.

Conclusion: The effect of thermocycling in reducing bond strength of resin to metal depends on the type of alloy. The noble metal studied is significantly affected by thermal tensions.