Comparing the effects of titanium alloy and chrome cobalt in removable partial denture connectors on tooth mobility, bone loss and tissue reaction

Introduction: Major connectors are used with removable partial dentures to connect all other parts to the denture. The use of titanium to fabricate removable partial dentures has recently increased. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of the titanium alloy and chrome cobalt to fabricate connectors of removable partial dentures on tooth mobility, bone loss and tissue reaction. Materials and methods: A non-randomized clinical-controlled trial was conducted at the Dental Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry at Al-Azhar University-Assiut Branch, from January 2013 to January 2015. Eighty patients were classified into two groups, which were provided with removable partial dentures comprising titanium alloy and chrome cobalt connectors respectively. Patients’ demographic and clinical data (tooth mobility, bone loss and tissue reaction) were evaluated via the questionnaires, and clinical observations by qualified medical dentists with panoramic X-rays. Both groups were examined at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: Tooth mobility, in all directions, ranged between 0 mm at enrollment and 0.10 mm in the titanium alloy group and ranged from 0 mm to 0.20 mm in the chrome cobalt group. The difference in tooth mobility between the two groups at the end of the study was statistically significant (p = 0.04). The bone loss ranged from 0 mm at enrollment and 0.05 mm in the titanium alloy group and ranged from 0.04 mm to 0.15 mm in the chrome cobalt group. The difference in bone loss between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The tissue reaction in the titanium alloy group ranged from 0 to 0.02, and it ranged from 0 to 0.16 in the chrome cobalt group. The difference in tissue reaction was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Clinical observations suggest that titanium alloy is more suited than chrome cobalt for fabricating the major connectors in removable partial dentures.