The influence of heat treatments on several types of

base-metal removable partial denture alloys

Harold F. Morris, D.D.S., M.S., * Kamal Asgar, Ph.D., * * Anne P. Rowe, Ph.D., * * * and
Carlos E. Nasjleti, D.D.S.****
Detroit, Mich., Ann Arbor, Mich., and Cleveland, Ohio

D ental alloys used in the fabrication

able partial dentures are subjected to different forms
of remov- nonequilibrium
structure.
phases, which exist in the as-cast
While the influence of grain size on
of heat treatment through variations in mold properties of cobalt-chromium or nickel-chromium
temperatures, cooling rates, and finishing procedures alloys is usually slight compared to that of precipi-
as well as repairing methods frequently used in the tates, phase transformations may be very important
dental laboratory. Most procedures for repairing in determining properties.
broken castings are followed by quenching in water. The purpose of this study was to determine the
The effect of various heat treatments on dental gold effect of heat treatment on the properties and
alloys has been established for many years, and yet microstructures of four base-metal alloys.
with over 99% of all removable partial dentures The alloys studied and their approximate chemi-
currently being fabricated with base-metal alloys, cal compositions (Table I) were Vitallium (Co-Cr
surprisingly little information is available concern- alloy),* Dentillium P.D. (Fe-Cr alloy),? Durallium
ing the influence of heat-treatment on these al- L.G. (Co-Cr-Ni alloy),$ and Ticonium 100 (Ni-Cr
loys.‘-’ alloy).§
Lux and Bollman,R ri Asgar and Peyton,‘, h Lane,’
Habraken and Coutsouradis,” and Harcourt”’ have METHODS AND MATERIALS
reported on the influence of compositional variations Fifty tensile bar specimens were cast for each of
and heat treatments on several industrial alloys. the four alloys from wax patterns with dimensions
Since some current alloys are multiphase and complying with ADA Specification No. 14. The
precipitation strengthened, the potential exists for patterns were prepared by injecting molten wax into
altering their properties through heat treatment. In a split brass mold. All wax patterns were sprued
general, heat treatment of a supersaturated solution horizontally,“. ” invested in suitable materials
may give rise to additional precipitates which will (Table II), and cast according to manufacturers’
alter the strength, hardness, and ductility of the directions.
alloy. The alloy ingots were melted in an induction
Heat treatment may also affect grain sizes and casting machine and cast centrifugally into a hot
mold. After bench cooling, the castings were
Support provided by Veterans Administration Medical Research
removed from the investment and sandblasted, and
Funds, Allen Park, Mich., and NIDR grant No. DE 02017 from
the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental
the sprues were removed using a cut-off disk
Research, Bethesda, Md. mounted in a high-speed dental lathe. Any slight
Presented in part at the American College of Prosthodontists, San surface roughness remaining was removed with a
Diego, Calif. very fine mounted finishing stone, using light pres-
*Staff Prosthodontist, VA Hospital, Allen Park, Mich., and
sure.
Assistant Professor, Department of Bio-materials, University of
Detroit, Detroit, Mich. The internal temperature of the heat-treating
**Professor, Department of Dental Materials, University of furnace was found to fluctuate + 150” F when the
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
***Research Materials Engineer, NASA-Lewis Research Center, *Howmedica Carp, Chicago, III.
Cleveland, Ohio. ‘/Stainless Steel Foundries, Milwaukee, Wise.
****Coordinator of Dental Research, VA Hospital, Ann Arbor, $J. F. Jelenko & Co., New Rochelle, N. Y.
Mich. BTiconium Co., Albany, N. Y.

388 APRIL 1979 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 4

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENTS ON ALLOYS

Table I. Chemical composition of alloys

Chemical compositions (W)

Alloy co Ni Fe C MO Mn Si Be Al

Vitallium (Cr-Co) 30.0 62.5 1.0 0.3 5.0 0.5 0.5

Dentillium P.D. 24.0 6.0 4.0 63.0 Trace 2.5 -
(&Fe)
Durallium L.G. 26.0 54.0 14.0 0.1 0.2 4.0 0.8 0.6
(Cr-Co-Ni)
Ticonium 100 (Cr-Ni) 17.0 68.8 Trace 5.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 4.7
_--~-

Table II. Number of alloy specimens in each Table III. Electrolytic etching procedures
testing condition
Alloy Volts Time (set) Etchant
Material*
Ticonium 5 2.0 2 ml Glyceroi
Heat treatment condition VIT TIC DENT LG 80 ml HCI
5 ml Nitric acid
As cast 10 10 10 10 40 ml Distilled H,O
1,300” F 10 10 10 10 1 gm Cupric chloride
1,600’ F 10 10 10 10 Dentillium P.D. 5 0.5 20 ml Glyceroi
1,900” F 10 10 10 10 80 ml HCI
2,200” F 10 10 10 10 5 m9 Nitric acid
Total 50 50 50 50 40 ml Distilled H,O
1 gm Cupric chloride
I’(‘/; Vitallium alloy invested in V.R. Investment burnout
VitaIlium 5 5.0 Chromic acid
temperature 2,100” F.
Durallium L.G. 5 5.0 Chromic acrd
TIC Ticonium alloy invested in Investic. Investment burnout _LI.
temperature 1.300” F.
DE,W, Dentillium alloy invested in Syncro X. Investment
burnout temperature 1,300” F. resulting recordings yield strengths, for O.Ol%, 0. l%,
LG, Durallium L.G. alloy invested in Syncro X. Investment and 0.2% offsets,* ultimate tensile strength, modulus
burnout temperature 1.300” F.
of elasticity, and percent elongation were calculated
for each group. The results were compared using
heating coils were activated from the temperature analysis of variance.
indicated on the chart recorder. A series of 10 For each alloy and test condition. randomly
heat-treating “cells” were constructed using grooved selected portions of three fractured tensile bars were
ceramic tiles. The “cells” were permitted to reach the embedded and polished using standard metallo-
heat treatment temperature and the temperature graphic procedures. Knoop microhardness values
variations again checked. The hot ceramic tiles were obtained using a Wilson Tukon hardness tester
protected the specimens from the intense, direct at a load of 500 gm,
effects of the heating coils and reduced the tempera- Three additional randomly selected sections were
ture variation within the cells, to -+ 25’ F at 1,300” F embedded, polished, and etched electrolytically
and +50” F at 2,200” F. (Table III). Photomicrographs were prepared at
The 50 specimens of each alloy were randomly X 200 of representative microstructures,
divided into five groups (Table II) consisting of 10
samples for each group-as-cast and those subjected
RESULTS
to heat treatments at 1,300”, 1,600”, 1,900”, and The results of the heat treatments on the mechan-
2,200” F for 15 minutes and immediately quenched ical properties are shown in Figs. 1 to :I.
in water. Ticonium 100. A slight increase in tensile strength
All specimens were tested to failure on an Instron of the alloy occurred after it was heat-treated at
tensile testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.05
cm/min. The resulting strain was monitored at a *Offset yield strength of O.Ol%, O.l%, and 0.2’::) represents the
magnification of X 1,000 using a strain gauge exten4 magnitude of stress that produce permanenr deformations of
someter with a l-inch gauge length. From the 0.01’70, O.l%, and 0.2%.

THE IOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 389

 MORRIS ET AL

Fig. 1. The 0.01% offset yield strengths of four remov- DENT 1G

able partial denture alloys after various heat treatments. A
significant difference exists for recorded values at the 95%
confidence level.
110
Fig. 3. The 0.2% offset yield strengths of four removable
partial denture alloys after various heat treatments. A
significant difference exists for recorded values at the 95%
confidence level.

100 140

90

IT4 80 120
P
I 70
CI
0
- 60 100
T 50
l!J
z 40 v,
P 80
= 30 q
ii I*

20 2
I‘ 60
10
5
-i 0 2
DE-N t LG Y 40
E
Fig. 2. The 0.1% offset yield strengths of four removable VI
partial denture alloys with various heat treatments. A 20
significant difference exists for recorded values at the 95%
confidence level.
0
VI 1 DENT LG

1,300” F. At the higher heat treatment temperatures
there was a general decrease in strength and an
increase in elongation, with no significant change in
the modulus of elasticity.
At 0.01% offset, the as-cast specimens exhibited
the highest yield strength of about 75,000 psi. In
general, further heat treatments reduced the
strength. The lowest value of about 17,000 psi was
recorded when specimens were heat-treated at
2,200” F. At 0.1% offset, the highest yield strength
was 101,400 psi and was recorded for the alloy after
it was heat treated at 1,300” F. The as-cast alloy
exhibited a strength of 94,200 psi. With increased
heat treatment temperatures above 1,300” F, the test
specimens showed reductions in strength. The yield
strength at 0.2% offset for the 1,300” F specimens
was 106,800 psi. This was higher than the 99,700 psi
Fig. 4. The ultimate tensile strength of four removable
partial denture alloys after various heat treatments. There
is a significant difference for recorded values at the 95%
confidence level.
recorded for the as-cast alloy. After heat treatment at
1,600”, 1,900”, and 2,200” F, the yield strengths were
65,000, 45,000, and 24,700 psi, respectively.
The highest ultimate tensile strength was for the
as-cast alloy. This strength of 116,100 psi was not
found to be statistically different from the 121,000
psi recorded for the alloy heat-treated at 1,300” F.
All heat treatment temperatures above 1,300” F
produced significant reductions in strength. A
severely weakened alloy resulted from heat treat-
ment at 2,200” F.
The elongations for the as-cast and 1,300” F test

390 APRIL 1979 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 4

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENTS ON ALLOYS

Table IV. Modulus of elasticity (X 10” psi)

2

Heat treatment (“F)’

As cast 1,300 1,600 1,900 2,200

Vitallium 32.4 30.4 31.1 32.6 32.2

Dentillium P.D. 29.3 26.4 27.2 27.3 29.4
Durallium L.G. 28.7 28.9 27.6 31.5 27.7
Ticonium 100 26.4 25.5 25.2 24.7 a21.0

*Heat treatment dtd not resull in a significant change in the

modulus of elasticity for any alloys included in this study.

conditions were 3.8% and 3.1%, respectively. After

heat treatment at 1,600” F, the elongation increased Fig. 5. The elongations of four removable partral denture
to 13.4%. The elongation further increased to 22.9% alloys after various heat treatments. There is a significant
for the 1,900” F test specimens. The lowest elonga- difference for recorded values at the 95’!‘. confidence
tion recorded for Ticonium 100 was 0.8% and level.
occurred after the alloy was heat-treated at 2,200” F.
l’he modulus of elasticity ranged from 24.7 X 10” to condition. In general, the heat treatment of the alloy
25.5 X 10” psi for the heat-treated specimens but at 1.300”, 1,600”) and 1,900” F produced a reduction
was not significantly different from the 26.6 X 10” in strength properties, without a change in either the
psi recorded for the as-cast alloy. The modulus of percent elongation or the modulus of elasticity. At
elasticity of the alloy heat-treated at 2,200” F was 2,200” F, however, this trend was reversed and the
difficult. to determine due to extreme variation in the strength of the alloy increased.
chart recordings. The modulus of 21.0 X 10” psi was The ultimate tensile strengths for the ailoy were
only a “good approximation.” 121,900, 92,600, 100,000,94,800, and 103,000 psi fol
Vitallium. The highest properties were recorded as-cast and those heat-treated at 1,300”, 1,600”,
for Vitallium in the as-cast condition. No significant 1,900”, and 2,200” F, respectively.
change was found for either the modulus of elasticity The percent elongation for all tear conditions
(Table IV) or the percent elongation (Fig. 5) as a ranged from 9.0% to 10.7% and was not statistically
result of variations in heat-treatments. different from the 9.0% recorded for the as-cast alloy.
At 0.01% offset, the as-cast specimens exhibited a The modulus of elasticity for all test conditions was
yield strength of 68,800 psi. This was the greatest not statistically different from the 29 ! >i 10’. psi
strength recorded for this alloy at the 0.01% offset. recorded for the as-cast alloy.
The lowest strength was recorded at 2,200” F heat Durallium L.G. In general, little change in
treatment, which produced an alloy with a strength mechanical properties resulted after the alloy was
of 46.900 psi. A similar pattern appeared at the 0.1% heat-treated. The elongation was decreased when
and O.?‘J offsets. The as-cast specimens exhibited specimens were heat-treated at 1,300” and 1,600” F.
93,400 and 103,200 psi for 0.1% and 0.2% offset yield At 1,900” and 2,200” F the elongation rrvrrsed itself
strengths. respectively. All heat treatments resulted and showed noticeable increase.
in significant reductions in the strength of the At 0.01% offset the as-cast alloy exhi hited a yield
alloy. strength of 51,900 psi. This was the highest strength
The ultimate tensile strength for the as-cast alloy recorded at the 0.01% offset. All hear treatments
was 126,300 psi. All heat treatments resulted in a produced a significant reduction in the yield
significantly weakened alloy. strength. For the 0.1% offset, the as-cast specimens
The percent elongation ranged from 1.5% to 2.9% had a strength of 63,700 psi. No significant change
for the heat-treated alloy. This was not found to be was noted for the alloy after it was heat-treated at
statistically different from the 1.6% recorded for the 1,300” and 1,600” F; however, higher heat treat-
as-cast alloy. No significant difference was found in ments produced lower values. At the 0.02% offset.
the modulus of elasticity of 32.4 X 10” psi for the the strength of the alloy was 67,700 psi tur the as-cast
as-cast alloy and the other test conditions. alloy. After being heat-treated at 1,300 or 1,600’ I:.
Dentillium P.D. Like Vitallium, the highest the alloy exhibited a strength of 7O.FKW psi. which
strengths were exhibited by the alloy in the as-cast was significantly higher than with the as-cast oondi-

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 393

 MORRIS ET AL

microhardness of 3 10. The microhardness remained

relatively unchanged after the material ~Y::s hear-
treated at 1,300”, 1,600”, and 1,900” F. A significant
increase to 378 occurred for the specimens heat-
treated at 2200” F.
Durallium L.G., in the as-cast condition, cxhibired
a microhardness of 278. A slight increase occurred
after the alloy was heat-treated at 1300“ F. The other
test conditions failed to produce significant changes
250- between hardness of the heat-treated alloy and the
as-cast alloy.

200,,
As cast 1300 1600
Heat treatment
1900
CF)
2200
DISCUSSION
Each alloy exhibited a different response to the
variation in heat treatment, depending on its basic
composition and strengthening mechanisms.
Fig. 6. The Knoop microhardness values of four remov- Vitallium, a cobalt-chromium alloy, depends
able partial denture alloys after various heat treatments. primarily on carbide precipitation as a strengthening
mechanism. The highest properties for this alloy
were recorded for the as-cast condition. In general, as
tion. The strength was reduced when the alloy was the heat treatment temperature increased, the over-
heat-treated at 1,900” and 2,200” F. all strength of the alloy decreased while the elonga-
The highest ultimate tensile strength for Dural- tion slightly increased. The microhardness of Vital-
hum L.G. was for the as-cast alloy-99,400 psi. Each lium decreased significantly when it was heat-treated
of the four heat treatment temperatures produced a at 1300” F, while no significant change in hardness
reduction in the strength of the alloy. The lowest was noticed at higher heat treatment temperatures
strength of 80,400 psi was found for L.G. after the (Fig. 6). The microstructures (Fig. 7) confirmed
2,200” F heat treatment. dissolution of the existing carbides, particularly the
The elongation of the as-cast alloy was 8%. The grain boundary morphologies, during heat treat-
elongation was significantly reduced from that of the ment.
as-cast alloy after each heat treatment. Elongations Dentillium P.D., an iron-chromium alloy, is basi-
of 5.9, 2.6, 4.1, and 5.1% were found when the alloy tally a two-phase alloy consisting of ferrite in an
was heat-treated at 1,300”, 1,600”, 1,900”, and austenite matrix. The as-cast alloy exhibited the
2,200” F, respectively. highest strength for this alloy, while heat treatments
The modulus of elasticity for Durallium L.G. was produced reductions in all recorded strengths, prob-
28.7 X 10” psi for the as-cast alloy. No significant ably by formation of pearlite. Slight but insignificant
change in modulus was evident after the alloy was increases in the elongation were observed. Micro-
subjected to all test conditions. hardness was also slightly reduced by all heat treat-
Microhardness testing. The results of the determi- ments (Fig. 6), except 1,300” F, which produced no
nation of the microhardness of each test group are significant change.
shown in Fig. 6. Microstructures of the as-cast specimens (Fig. 7 j
The greatest microhardness of all the alloys tested, show grain boundary carbides within the matrix, as
for all conditions, was recorded for Vitallium in the well as a minor amount of the lamella structure often
as-cast condition; it had a Knoop hardness number found in austenite/ferrite alloys (pearlite). At 1,300”
of 448. All heat treating produced a significant F the lamella are well developed and additional
reduction in the microhardness of the alloy. precipitates are evident in the alloy matrix.
For the as-cast condition, Dentillium exhibited a Increased precipitates are also evident at 1,600” and
microhardness of 318. No significant difference was 1,900” F; in the latter case some grain growth has
found between the alloy in the as-cast and 1,300” F occurred. This apparent increase in precipitates
heat treatment condition. All other heat treatments within the matrix is not consistent with decreasing
produced significantly lower hardness numbers. strength, except that the effect of the carbides is
In the as-cast condition, Ticonium 100 exhibited a strongly dependent on their type and morphology.

392 APRIL 1979 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 4

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENTS ON ALLOYS

Alloy i- ‘QQP
Dent.PD our. LG.

Fig. 7. The changes in microstructure after heat treatment at 1300”, 1600’, 1900”, and 2200” F
for 15 minutes followed by quenching in water.

During tensile testing of the 2,200” F specimens, ary and globular carbide precipitates. ‘Ihe 1,300”
loud crackling noises were evident. Such noises are and 1,600” F specimens reveal a much finer dendrit-
frequently encountered when deformation twins are ic structure and subgrains. At 1,900” and 2,200” F
being formed, and the microstructure tends to some precipitate dissolution appears to have
support this possibility. occurred, which would account for the increase in
Durallium L.G. is a cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy elongation when compared with the 1,600” F speci-
also strengthened primarily by carbide precipitation. mens.
Heat treatment variation for this alloy produced the Ticonium 100 is a nickel-chromium alloy
least amount of changes in the overall properties strengthened basically by Ni.,Ai gamma prime
when compared with all other alloys tested. In precipitates.
general, the yield strengths and the ultimate tensile Heat treatment at 1,300” F produced a slight
strength varied, while the microhardness (Fig. 7) was increase in the overall strength of the alloy and no
relatively unchanged. Increased heat treatment significant change in the microhardness, while the
temperatures produced a reduction in the elongation elongation showed a slight decrease. Higher temper-
recorded. atures decreased the yield strengths and ultimate
Microstructures (Fig. 7) of Durallium show the tensile strengths considerably while increasing the
expected dendritic structure with both grain bound- elongation and having little effect on the microhard-

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 393

 MORRIS El‘ AI

ness (Fig. 6). At ‘2,200” F the strengths were reduced not verified by this study. The alloys subjected !o
drastically, and their behavior during testing was so increased heat treatment temperatures had reducc:d
erratic that the values reported are only approximate yield strengths while the elongation varied t:onsider-
data. ably, depending on the composition of the a&t!
Microstructures (Fig. 7) of the alloy show
increased precipitation at 1,300” F, with dissolution SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
of the precipitates starting at 1,600” F, and becom- Four removable partial denture alloys, Vitallium
ing more progressive at 1,900” F, with a radical (Co-Cr alloy), Dentillium P.D. (Fe-Cr alloy), Dural-
change consisting of dense precipitation, denuded lium L.G. (Co-Cr-Ni alloy), and Ticonium 100
zones, and platelets evident at 2,200” F. The Cr- (Ni-Cr alloy), were evaluated in the as-cast condition
Mo-Ni phase diagram includes a phase called P and and after heat treatment for 15 minutes at 1,300”,
is described as an intermetallic of unknown structure 1,600”, 1,900”, and 2,200” F followed by quenching
which is hard and brittle. Sigma phase also occurs in in water. The following properties were determined
this ternary but is less likely to precipitate from the and compared for each alloy at each heat treatment
Ticonium composition than the P phase. condition: the yield strengths at 0.010%:. O.lR, and
For years dental researchers and clinicians have 0.2% offsets, the ultimate tensile strength, the
accepted the yield strength values obtained for 0.02% percent elongation, the modulus of elasticity, and the
offset of removable partial denture alloys as being Knoop microhardness. The results were statistically
values valid for purposes of comparisons. Further- analyzed. Photomicrographs were examined for each
more, this value was felt to be the strength which, alloy and test condition.
once exceeded, would result in permanent deforma- The following conclusions were made:
tion of the clasp arm. As first reported in 1972,” the 1. The “highest values” were exhibited by the
strength at 0.02% offset is not a valid figure to use for as-cast alloy.
comparison of dental alloys, nor is it a good indicator 2. Heat treatment of the partial denture alloys
of a strength at which early permanent deformation tested resulted in reductions in strength, while the
occurs. elongations varied. This study demonstrates that, in
Results of this study further confirm the inadequa- practice, one should avoid (a) prolonged “heat-
cy of the 0.2% yield strength for alloy comparisons. soaking” while soldering and (b) grinding or polish-
For example, 0.2% offset yield strength of Ticonium ing of the casting until the alloy is “red hot.”
100 had a mean of 99,700 psi, whereas that of 3. Durallium L.G. was the least affected by the
Dentillium P.D. was 101,800 psi. At the point of various heat treatment conditions.
0.01% offset yield strength, the alloys showed an 4. Conventional reporting of the yield strength ar
entirely different relationship (Ticonium 0.2% offset, the ultimate tensile strength, and percent
lOO-75,000 psi; Dentillium P.D.-71,600 psi). Since elongation are not adequate to completely describe
0.01% offset values are closer to the proportional and compare the mechanical behavior of alloys. The
limit, they provide the best indicator of the strength reporting of the yield strength at 0.01% offset, in
at which permanent deformation will occur if the addition to the other reported properties, will
value is exceeded. Considerable permanent deforma- provide a more complete description of the behavior
tion does occur before the 0.2% yield strength is of the dental alloys.
reached. Data used for comparison of alloys should
include the yield strengths at 0.01 and 0.2% offsets,
the ultimate tensile strength, the modulus of elastic-
REFERENCES
ity, and the percent elongation to provide a more Paffenbarger, G. C., Gaul, H. J., and Dickson, G.: Base-
metal alloys for oral restorations. J Am Dent Assoc 30:852.
accurate description of the alloys and their clinical
1943.
behavior. Elbert, C. A., and Ryge, G.: The effect of heat-treatment on
It has also been accepted that there was a direct microhardness of a cobalt-chromium alloy. J PROSTHET DENT
correlation between the yield strengths and the 15:873, 1965.
elongation of alloys. This correlation was such that Civjan, S., Huget, E. F., Lichtenberger, H., and Frank. W.
A.: Heat-treatment of nickel-chromium based dental alloys.
alloys which exhibited a decrease in yield strength
Paper No. 541, IADR Annual Meeting, New York, March
would show an increase in elongation, or conversely, 1970.
an alloy which showed an increase in yield strength Lane, J, R.: A survey of dental alloys. ,J Am Dent rlssoc
would have a lower elongation. This relationship was 39:414, 1949.

394 APRIL 1979 VOLUME 41 NUMBER 4

INFLUENCE Or HEAT TREATMENTS ON ALLOYS

3. Lux, B., and Bollman, W.: Precipitation hardening of heat-treatment in cobalt-chromium :tlio\:. 1st I)r,nt ,I
wbalt-base alloys by means of an intermetallic CO-MO 116:475, 1964.
phase. (Cobalt No. Il. pp 4-20, June 1961. 11. Asgar, K.. Techow. B., Allan, F. C.. and Sntt~r~, 1.. I i:ftcci
6. Luu, B., and Bollman. IV.: The mechanism of carbide of casting conditions on physical propert& ol +nrr cqw-
precipltaGon m cobalt-base, heat-resistant alloys during mental partial denture alloys. .J Biomed \$a11 r Kw :3:40’~.
nge-hardrning, Cobalt No. 12, pp 32-8, September 1961. 1969.
7 Asgar. K., and Peyton, I:. A: Effect of microstructure on the
physical proprrties of cobalt-basz alloys. J Dent Res 40:73,
1961
8. :\sgar, K., and Peyton. F. r\.: Effect of casting conditions on
some mechanical properties of cobalt-base alloys. J Dent Res
Reprint request., to:
40:63. 1961
DR. KAMAL ASOAR
9. Habraken, I.., and Coutsouradis, D.: Properties of the new
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHCGA~
cobalt-base ,~lioys UM Co 50. Cobalt No. 10, pp 3-21, March
SCHOOL OF DENTISTKV
1961
ANN ARBOR. MICH. 48109
10. Harcourt. H. J.: The effects of variation in cooling rates and

IADR PROSTHODONTIC ABSTRACT

Radiographic comparative study of condylar position in centric relation and

centric occlusion
A. Rokni and Y. H. Ismail
School of Dental Medicine. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.

A review of the literature indicated lack of docu- subjects, utilizing the “transcranial lateral oblique
mentation regarding the position of the condyles in technique” by Updegrave. Four exposures were
relation to the fossa, in centric occlusion and centric obtained on each subject; right and left sides in both
relation. The purpose of this investigation was to centric occlusion and centric relation. Direct measure-
compare the spatial relationship of the condyles to the ments of the anterior, superior, and posterior joint
fossae in both pos’itions, utilizing temporo-mandibu- spaces were made on the radiographs. using parallel
lar joint radiographs. Forty young adults, age 20-30 lines and the Fowler Comparator to the closest ‘/,(I
years, were selected at random for this study. Thirty mm. The measurements were tabulated and statisti-
were males and ten were females. They all had Class I cally analyzed. The results showed that: (1) In centric
normal occlusion, with minimum or no restorations, relation, the condyles were positioned more posterior-
and free of any clinical signs or symptoms of TMJ ly and superiorly than in centric occlusion, (2) This
dysfunction. TMJ radiographs were obtained for all difference, although measurable on both sides, was
statistically significant (at 0.05 level) on the left sidr
only, and (3) In centric occlusion, the condyles were
Reprinted from the Joumai yf‘ Dcnfal Research [57 (Special A).
Issue symmetrical antero-posteriorly in their fossae; the
1978 (Abst No. 1070)] with permission of the author and the anterior joint space equaled the posterior joint
cdi tw space.

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 395