Porosity and accuracy of multiple-unit titanium castings

The objective of this investigation was to determine whether titanium could be used to cast reproducible multiple-unit dental restorations. A metal analog was machined to simulate preparations for a three-unit fixed partial denture. Castings were made with four different sprue designs at three temperatures. Marginal accuracy and porosity were evaluated. A total of 70 titanium castings were made with an argon/electric arc/vacuum/pressure casting machine. Ten castings were made in the conventional manner by use of gold-palladium alloy as a control to compare the marginal gap. The results revealed that the porosity was less when a large individual sprue (6-gauge) was used. It was also noted that the lower pattern burnout temperatures of 910 degrees C and 920 degrees C exhibited significantly smaller marginal gaps than did the higher temperature of 930 degrees C.