[A study on the effects of beryllium addition upon biological and physical properties of dental cobalt-chromium alloys (author's transl)].

The effects of beryllium addition to a dental cobalt-chromium alloy on biological compatibility as well as physical properties were examined and the following results were obtained. 1. Slight, but significant depression of the rates of cell multiplication was obtained with the experimental groups, i.e., alloy with no beryllium added as well as alloys with beryllium of up to 3.0 per cent by weight, compared to control group, which contained no alloys, but a glass disk. Within the experimental groups no significant difference in the rates of cell multiplication was found between the alloys with beryllium addition ranging from zero up to 2.0% by weight. However, alloy with 3.0% beryllium yielded slight, but significant depression of the rates of cell multiplication. Pure beryllium metal revealed severe cytotoxicity. 2. Cell morphology of the experimental groups confirmed the above results of the rate of cell multiplication. 3. Increase of beryllium within the alloys resulted in increase of tensile strength as well as Rockwell hardness, while elongation and fusion temperature were brought down. 4. Metallographs of alloys and cast specimens confirmed the results of the mechanical properties. The more beryllium was added, the smaller was the alloy crystal observed. 5. Loss of beryllium in the alloy was found during such procedures as melting each metal for making up alloys and casting. It is considered that the present results will be able to lend suggestions to beryllium use in dentistry with regard to biological compatibility as well as physical properties.