Comparative Distortion in Three-Unit Fixed Prostheses Joined by Laser Welding, Conventional Soldering, or Casting in One Piece

Abstract

This study evaluated three different joint-forming procedures: laser welding, soldering, and one-piece casting. Fifteen three-unit bridges were fabricated. The findings showed post-jointing distrotion to be significantly less for laser-welded and one-piece castings than for soldering; and significantly greater reliability (least error variance) in joining with the laser than either one-piece casting or soldering.