Quantitative thin-layer chromatographic identification of dental base alloys

In the corrosively aggressive medium of the oral cavity, the use of identical dental alloys requires identification of the existing metal construction. One of the methods allowing this identification is quantitative thin-layer chromatography with anodic sampling. Using a 4.5-V battery and suitable electrolytes, seven dental alloys for fixed and removable dentures based on cobalt were analysed. Chromatograms of alloy samples were developed with a mixture of acetone and 2 M HCl. Scanning of the thin-layer chromatographic spots produced chromatographic curves and the area under the curve was proportional to the content of cobalt in the alloy studied. Regression analysis showed a very high coefficient of correlation (r=0.999) between the area of the spot and the proportion of cobalt.