Resin-bonded retainers. Part I: Resin bond to electrolytically etched nonprecious alloys

Nonprecious Ni-Cr casting alloys can be electrolytically etched to yield a highly retentive surface for micromechanical bonding of dental resins. The acid, current density, and etching time to achieve the retentive features are specific for each alloy. Conditions for etching one beryllium-containing and one non-beryllium-containing alloy are described. The tensile strength of a resin system to these alloys has been determined to be over two times the accepted value of the resin bond to acid-etched enamel.