Intraoral behaviour and biocompatibility of gold versus non precious alloys

The costs of traditional dental gold alloys have increased rapidly over the last fifteen years, and numerous attempts have therefore been made to develop and produce less expensive alternatives for use in the manufacture of fixed dental appliances. A review is presented of the various types of alloys currently available in the western world, as well as of the biological, technical and clinical aspects of their use in dentistry. Special attention is paid to the possible risks of various types of pathological reactions associated with alternative alloys containing nickel, beryllium or cadmium. Technical aspects covered include constructional problems and those associated with casting, finishing and the clinical adjustment of fixed appliances produced by traditional and alternative alloys. In conclusion, it is stated that even if rapid progress in this area makes long-term predictions difficult there is no evidence at present to suggest that the costs of dental treatment have in general become noticably lower to the patients when alternative alloys have been used instead of traditional gold based ones.