Influence of Melting and Casting Methods and Finish Line Design on the Marginal Discrepancy of Nickel-Chromium-Titanium Alloy Crowns

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of melting and casting procedures and the cervical finish line design on the marginal fit of nickel-chromium-titanium alloy crowns. Sixty standardized specimens were prepared to receive metal-ceramic crowns and were divided into two groups according to the cervical finish line: chamfer or rounded shoulder. Three melting and casting procedures were analyzed: (1) induction-centrifuge (IC), (2) gas oxygen torch-centrifuge (TC), and (3) induction-vacuum/pressure (IP). The marginal fit was measured with an image analysis system. Significant differences (P = .005) were observed among the groups, with TC showing the lowest discrepancies (45.87 µm). No significant differences were observed between the two finish lines. The accuracy of fit achieved for the groups analyzed may be regarded as within the range of clinical acceptance.