OBJECTIVETo research the influence of gilt to the retention of the complete metal crown.

METHODSSixty Ni-Cr alloy complete metal crown were divided into three groups, control group (common Ni-Cr alloy complete metal crown), whole gold-plating group (whole gilding on the tissue surface of the inner Ni-Cr alloy complete metal crown), partial gold-plating group (gilding on the tissue surface of 1/3 cervical inner Ni-Cr alloy complete metal crown). The retention force of complete metal crown was measured by tensile force/pressure ergograph.

RESULTSThe retention force of control group, partial gold-plating group, whole gold-plating group were (657 +/- 151) N, (632 +/- 139) N, (569 +/- 103) N, respectively. There were significant differences between control group and whole gold-plating group, whole gold-plating group and partial gold-plating group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between control group and partial gold-plating group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe force of retention would decrease after gilding on the tissue surface of the inner Ni-Cr alloy complete metal crown, but have no influence to normal retention requirement of complete crown. Although the retention of partial gold-plating complete metal crown had somewhat decrease, it could be ignored.