The

Environmental

Alternative

for the

Future

Absolute Organic Compatibility

In an environment which is undergoing a steady process of destruction, the human immune system is subjected to stresses from unpredictable external sources, such as denatured foodstuffs and toxic substances in the environment. Evidence of this is the alarming increase of allergies. To minimize the harm being done to the human body, it is therefore logical to use non-toxic substances in every area possible. This applies equally to the field of dental prosthetics. Tests of its break-through potential have shown titanium to be absolutely corrosion resistant. This test is used not only for determining the chemical stability of metals, but also their biological or organic compatibility. the results obtained by titanium were significantly better than gold alloys. No electrochemical reactions whatsoever take place, even with existing dentures. This makes titanium a viable alternative, even for people with allergic complaints.

One Metal for All Parts

Titanium is the only pure metal with which all dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, inlays, suprastructures, model castings and implants can be made. This means that the patient can be treated using only one metal. All the chemical and physical reactions caused by different metals contacting one another in the mouth are avoided.

Lightness of Structure

Titanium is far ahead of all the other dental alloys. With a density of 4.5 g/cm3, titanium is one of the lightest metals and weighs only a quarter of the gold alloys used in dentistry. It makes dentures which are so light that the patients hardly feel them and quickly become accustomed to wearing them.

Accurate Fit

Dental technicians are always impressed with the absence of stresses in titanium structures and their dimensional accuracy. The extremely low contraction of the metal is the reason for the excellent fit achieved for crowns and bridges. Minimum edge-gap dimensions are achieved. All this means accurate fitting crowns, bridges and dentures whose presence the patient quickly forgets.

Low Surface Hardness

The surface hardness measured on the titanium casting is 210 N/mm2 which is approximately equal to that of a gold alloy. This means that hard metal burs can be used when working with titanium.

Low Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of titanium is 22 wm-1k-1 which is 13.5 times less than that of gold and 3.2 times less than CoCr alloys. This low conductivity prevents irritations of the pulpa (tooth cavity) sometimes caused by gold alloys. The patient can drink warm or cold liquids without fear of temperature shock.

Attractive Appearance

The results achieved by the dental laboratories specializing in the use of titanium have proven conclusively that with titanium no compromises are necessary with regard to appearance.

Neutral Taste

The enjoyment of food and drink is not affected by the metallic aftertaste which can occur with other alloys used in dentistry.

High X-ray Translucency

Titanium can be x-rayed easily and allows the dentist to diagnose secondary caries without removing the fixed prosthesis.

Easy Processing

For the dentist, titanium's physical properties correspond to those of a precious metal alloy of type 4, which means that titanium is also easy to work with in the practice.