Radiographic evaluation of porosities in removable partial denture castings

Most of the removable partial denture castings examined showed radiographic evidence of internal porosity. In general the porosity ocurred in characteristic regions associated with abrupt changes in cross-sectional thickness. These were located either within the partial denture framework or at the casting-sprue junctions. The porosity is due to metal shrinkage caused by a premature solidification at some point, which in turn interferes with a controlled unidirectional soldification of the casting.