Cytotoxicity of Au-based dental solders alone and on a substrate alloy.

Gold-based dental solders are commonly combined with a substrate alloy in dental prostheses and are in long-term intimate contact with oral tissues, yet the biological properties of dental solders are almost unknown. Previous studies have shown that combinations of dissimilar alloys may increase the risk of elemental release and adverse biological effects. The purpose of the current study was to measure the cytotoxicity of dental solders alone and in combination with a substrate metal.