Optimization of operator and physical parameters for laser welding of dental materials.

OBJECTIVE: Interactions between lasers and materials are very complex phenomena. The success of laser welding procedures in dental metals depends on the operator's control of many parameters. The aims of this study were to evaluate factors relating to the operator's dexterity and the choice of the welding parameters (power, pulse duration and therefore energy), which are recognized determinants of weld quality. DESIGN: In vitro laboratory study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FeNiCr dental drawn wires were chosen for these experiments because their properties are well known. Different diameters of wires were laser welded, then tested in tension and compared to the control material as extruded, in order to evaluate the quality of the welding. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured zone and micrograph observations perpendicular and parallel to the wire axis were also conducted in order to analyse the depth penetration and the quality of the microstructure. Additionally, the micro-hardness (Vickers type) was measured both in the welded and the heat-affected zones and then compared to the non-welded alloy. RESULTS: Adequate combination of energy and pulse duration with the power set in the range between 0.8 to 1 kW appears to improve penetration depth of the laser beam and success of the welding procedure. Operator skill is also an important variable. CONCLUSION: The variation in laser weld quality in dental FeNiCr wires attributable to operator skill can be minimized by optimization of the physical welding parameters.

Orthodontic soldering techniques: aspects of quality assurance in the dental laboratory.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, the dental technician is required by the Medical Products Act (MPG) to produce workpieces of high safety and quality and to document these properties. Soldering continues to be the prevailing joining technique in the dental laboratory, although problems arise from the susceptibility to corrosion and the low strength of soldered joints. This study aimed to reveal sources of defects in dental laboratory workpieces in order to achieve optimization in terms of quality assurance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The joints were produced by various dental technicians using three different soldering techniques. These joining techniques were investigated for their quality and their corrosion properties during immersion in ferric chloride, orthodontic appliance cleanser, and artificial saliva. Observance of the soldering instructions by the dental technicians was checked. Corrosion attack was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and by measuring the ion concentrations of copper, silver and zinc in the corrosive agents, using atomic emission spectroscopy with stimulation by inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES analysis). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Incomplete filling of the soldering gap, porosities resulting from the production process, poor corrosion properties, and in particular a high variability of the measured values point to insufficient reliability of two soldering techniques. Variations in quality were also detected among the technicians' modes of operation. CONCLUSION: The analyses confirm the need for quality assurance of soldering techniques and for increased support for alternative joining techniques such as laser welding in the future. The results of the studies on laser welding are presented in a separate publication.

Distortion in dental soldering as affected by gap distance.

In identifying the criteria which influence soldering distortion, the results of this study indicate the following: 1. Linear distortion identified at the investment phase (a net increase in gap distance) is due to setting expansion of the plaster and soldering investment. 2. The linear distortion identified at the soldering phase (a net decrease in gap distance) occurs because of the contraction of the solder. 3. The rotational distortions measured were found to be minimal. 4. The use of a minimum gap distance, without contact, is desirable. 5. Adding solder results in a well-rounded, solid solder joint.

Microstructure of the solder-casting zone in bridges of dental gold alloys.

The composition and structure were studied in the cast and in the solder of bridges which had failed clinically. Both materials were gold alloys but with different contents of Pt, Ag and Zn. The metallographic investigation revealed defects mostly in the solder, situated in the subsurface layer. SEM studied of the fracture surface revealed large porosites and a structure of dense parallel lines--striations--, indicating that the material had failed from fatigue. The materials in the fractured bridges were identified by micro-probe measurements. It was stated that cast material and solder material used together, were of different composition.

[The dental soldering by means of high frequency induction heating (author's transl)].

The authors examined the methods of high frequency induction soldering, especially Loop-method, other than the gas flame soldering which was known generally. The details which was done are: (1) about the form of induction coil, and the relative places of the coil and restrative appliance, and some supplementary appliances of them. (2) about strength of soldered joints of Co-Cr wire using silver solder and Pd-solder, and observation on the corrosion of soldered-joints by the scanning electron-microscope. (3) about the comparison of the characteristics of Co-Cr wire by means of high-frequency induction heating and gas-flame one. (4) about the examples of soldering of porcelain crown-bridge and clasp wire attached on the dental cast, and possibility of soldering techniques of them on the dental cast. The authors found that the high frequency induction method was preeminent from the other method on the point of (a) the characteristic of heated wire, (b) the strength of soldered joints, (c) the easiness of operating of them, and (d) the possibility of soldering using the high-melting point of Pd-solder, and the soldering of them on the dental cast. Therefore we can enough respect the application on the dental area of this apparatus and this techniques of the high-frequency induction soldering.

Efficient soldering index materials for fixed partial dentures and implant substructures.

Multiple-unit fixed partial dentures routinely require an intraoral index to ensure accurate fit. One of the most commonly used materials is Duralay acrylic resin, which has yielded satisfactory clinical results, but one disadvantage has been a prolonged setting time. This study compared the setting times of two autopolymerizing resins, Duralay and G. C. Pattern resin. The dimensional accuracy of these materials was also compared with one light-cured resin, G.C. Unifast light-cure resin. All three materials were suitable to relate castings with clinically acceptable outcomes, and chairside time could be saved with the use of recently introduced indexing materials.

Quality criteria for pure titanium casting, laboratory soldering, intraoral welding, and a device to aid in making uncontaminated castings.

Procedures for casting, laboratory soldering, and intraoral welding of titanium for dental restorations are described and illustrated. Pure titanium and titanium 6A1-4Va alloy castings may be used for virtually any prosthodontic rehabilitation as well as for implants, with the proper equipment and technique.

Three-dimensional distortion of gold alloy castings and welded titanium frameworks. Measurements of the precision of fit between completed implant prostheses and the master casts in routine edentulous situations.

Thirty routine patients, provided with fixed prostheses supported by osseointegrated Brånemark implants in edentulous lower jaws, were arranged into three different groups with regard to design of the metal framework. Ten patients received cast gold alloy frames and the other two groups were provided with two different designs of welded titanium frames. The fit of the completed prostheses was measured in three dimensions (3-D) in relation to the master cast, by means of a photogrammetric technique, prior to insertion. Mean 3-D distortion of the centre point of the gold cylinder was 42 (s.d. 8) microns for the cast framework. The corresponding mean distortion for the two designs of titanium frameworks was 43 (s.d. 16) and 36 (s.d. 10) microns, respectively. Least distortion was observed in vertical direction for all three designs. None of the different designs of metal frames showed a significantly better fit (P > 0.05), but the cast and oldest titanium framework design presented a much wider range of distortion. This indicated a higher risk of sectioning and resoldering during the fabrication of the prostheses as compared to the more consistently fabricated prostheses, with a new titanium framework design.

The fitness of copings constructed over UCLA abutments and the implant, constructed by different techniques: casting and casting with laser welding

A reposição de um elemento dentário pode ser feita por um implante osseointegrado sendo que a adaptação passiva de sua estrutura protética é um fator relevante para o sucesso deste trabalho. Um estudo comparativo foi feito entre dois métodos de confecção de prótese unitária suportada por implante. Para tanto incluímos no centro de um bloco de resina um implante rosqueado de 3.75mm de diâmetro por 10.0mm de comprimento (3i Implant innovations, Brasil) e sobre este parafusamos com torque de 20N.cm 15 pilares UCLA torneados anti-rotacionais (137CNB, Conexão Sistemas de Próteses, Brasil) sem qualquer procedimento laboratorial (grupo controle - GC). A partir de um molde de silicone, 15 componentes tipo UCLA calcináveis (56CNB, Conexão Sistemas de Próteses, Brasil) foi parafusado (20N.cm) ao implante e receberam enceramentos padrão (face vestibular plana) os quais foram fundidos em titânio (grupo fundição - GF). 15 componentes, tipo UCLA torneados em titânio (137CNB, Conexão, Sistemas de Próteses, Brasil) receberam o mesmo enceramento padrão e estes copings foram fundidos em titânio separados e soldados a laser aos respectivos pilares em seu bordo (grupo soldagem a laser- GSL). A adaptação marginal foi observada na interface implante/componente, sob microscópio de medição, no eixo y, em 4 pontos de referência na vestibular, lingual, mesial e distal previamente marcados no bloco. As médias aritméticas foram obtidas e uma análise dos dados foi feita para determinar o teste estatístico mais apropriado. Os dados estatísticos descritivos (µm) para Controle (média ± desvio padrão:13.50 ± 21.80; mediana 0.00), for Fundição (36.20 ± 12.60; 37.00), para Laser (10.50 ± 12.90; 3.00) foram submetidos ao Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, a = 5%. Resultados: Os testes mostraram que os valores médios de distorção diferem estatisticamente (kw = 17.40; df =2; p = 0.001<0.05). O teste Dunn's (5%) mostra diferença entre Fundição e os outros dois grupos. Conclusão: No eixo y, os menores valores de distorção foram obtidos pelo grupo soldagem a laser de bordo (GSL).