Leaching of nickel, chromium, and beryllium ions from base metal alloy in an artificial oral environment.

The use of base metal alloys in dentistry has gained wide popularity in recent years. However, claims of their safety have not been universally accepted. An artificial oral environment capable of reproducing three-dimensional force-movement cycles of human mastication was used to determine whether nickel, chromium, and beryllium ions were leached from base metal alloy. Twelve pairs of crowns were articulated in the following combinations: metal versus metal, metal versus enamel, metal versus porcelain, and metal versus metal without chewing as a control. In a simulated 1-year period of mastication, the results showed that nickel and beryllium metals were released both by dissolution and occlusal wear. These findings suggest that if these conditions occur in the oral cavity, the stability of base-metal alloys is subject to question. Further studies are needed to determine whether the leaching reported has long-term consequences for patients receiving base metal restorations.