Alloys for metalloceramic restorations: literature review

Abstract

For many years, noble alloys were the only choice for porcelain- fused-to-metal restorations and fi- xed partial prostheses. The develo- pment ofbase-metal alloys allowed a wider variety of alternatives, for a lower cost. Several alloys may form bonding with dental cera- mies. However, they differ widely in terms of composition, handling characteristics, performance and cost. Noble alloys, even presenting excellent performance, have limi- ted acceptance due to their high cost. On the other hand, base-me- tal alloys have the disadvantage of being potentially allergenic. Due to its excellent mechanical proper- ties and biocompatibility, titanium appears to be an important alter- native for both noble and base-me- tal alloys. However, there are shor- tcomings regarding casting techni- que and bonding to porcelain that demand more research in order to make this metal a true alternative for metalloceramic restorations. This literature review aimed to discuss the noble and base-metal alloys used to fabricate metallo- ceramic crowns, examining their chemical composition, mechanical properties, as well as their bonding mechanism to dental porcelains.