OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the study was to investigate the content of nickel (Ni) ion in patients' saliva after wearing the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) crown or the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium-titanium(Ni-Cr-Ti) crown.

METHODS50 patients who had one molar or premolar needed repairing were selected and divided into two groups randomly. Patients in one group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown and the patients in the other group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown. Collect the patients' saliva before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. The content of Ni ion in saliva was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSThe content of Ni ion in both groups increased at the first week, and go back after 6 months. There were no significant differences before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. There were no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONWearing the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown or the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown has no significant influence on the content of Ni ion in saliva.