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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
In vitro comparison of biological properties of CoCr, Ti-6Al-4V, and PEEK for removable partial denture
Karine Bertotti1, Nina Attik2, Angeline Poulon-Quintin3
1Fox3D Dental Solutions, Colayrac St Cirq, France; Laboratoire des Multimateriaux et Interfaces, CNRS UMR 5615, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Universite de Lyon, Villeurbanne, France; Faculte d'Odontologie, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, France.
Statement Of Problem:
To address the limited biocompatibility of conventional removable dental prostheses (RDPs), new materials and manufacturing techniques are being actively investigated.
Purpose:
This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the biological response of human fibroblast (HGF) to cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr), titanium alloy (Ti), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), fabricated via tree distinct methods: casting, selective laser melting (SLM) and machining.
Material And Methods:
The surface chemical composition and the wettability of cast Co-Cr, SLM Co-Cr, SLM Ti, machined Ti, and PEEK were assessed. HGF were cultured in contact with material extracts, and all assays were conducted following this exposure. Ion release was assessed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and pH measurement. Surface roughness was subsequently measured on each sample. Cell viability was assessed using the Live/Dead staining, while metabolic activity was evaluated using the Alamar Blue assay. Cell morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy, while inflammatory profile was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05 and 0.001).
Results:
SLM Co-Cr exhibited higher Co and Cr surface content than cast Co-Cr, while SLM Ti showed a reduced titanium content and increased aluminum content relative to machined Ti. Among all tested materials, machined Ti demonstrated the highest surface wettability, evidenced by a significantly lower contact angle (p < 0.001). HGF exposed to extracts of machined Ti and PEEK exhibited greater cell viability and metabolic activity, comparable to the control group. In contrast, cast Co-Cr was associated with significantly increased IL-6 secretion, although TNF-α and IL-10 levels remained stable across tested groups.
Conclusions:
Machined titanium (Ti) and PEEK exhibited favorable in vitro biocompatibility, with high cell viability, enhanced cellular adhesion, and no significant cytotoxicity under our experimental conditions. These findings suggest that both materials may represent promising alternatives to CoCr alloys for the fabrication of removable partial dentures, although their clinical application requires further validation of their mechanical, physical, and long-term properties.
