Margin quality of titanium and high-gold inlays and onlays--a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: Unalloyed titanium may be an economical substitute for gold alloys. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of unalloyed titanium as an alternative to gold alloys for posterior inlay and onlay restorations. METHODS: Fifty-four patients received 99 titanium restorations, 56 patients 96 gold alloy restorations. All titanium restorations were cast in a vacuum-pressure casting machine. Two weeks after insertion the clinical margin integrity was evaluated by replica technique. The maximum marginal gaps were assessed under the optical measuring microscope. The two tailed t-test for independent samples was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Accuracy of fit was significantly better in gold alloy than in titanium restorations. Mean maximum marginal gap between restoration margin and tooth structure were 72 +/- 18 microns (mean +/- S.D.) for titanium and 64 +/- 18 microns (mean +/- S.D.) for gold restorations. SIGNIFICANCE: Though marginal gap widths in titanium restorations did not yet match the gold standard, the data justify the use of titanium as an alternative to gold alloy for inlay and onlay restorations.