Preliminary Analysis And Evaluation Of Five Common Prosthetic Dust

Objective: The aim of this research is to analyze the particle size,chemical composition and the respirable dust concentration of five common prosthetic dust(veneering ceramics,cobalt-chromium alloy,photosensitive plastic,hard base resin,advanced artificial teeth).To assess the effects of prosthodontics clinic dust on the health of dentists and put forward some reasonable suggestions for prevention and control of dust.Methods.This study analyzed the particle size,chemical composition of five materials which commonly used in dental restorations(veneering ceramics,cobalt-chromium alloy,photosensitive plastic,hard base resin,advanced artificial teeth)by using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDS)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).According to the standard of WS/T206-2001 “public air particulate matter(PM10)determination method--light scattering method”,we measured the time weighted average(TWA)of five common prosthetic respirable dust by using dust concentration laser tester.And evaluated by the national occupational health standard GBZ 2-2002 the workplace harmful factors in the occupational exposure limit.According to the result of this study,put forward some reasonable suggestions for prevention and control of dust.Results.The particle size of veneering ceramics which including 23.39% free silica was 2.00±2.63?m.The particle size of cobalt-chromium alloy was 45.48±34.08?m which was mainly composed of co-cr solid solution.The particle size of photosensitive plastic,hard base resin and advanced artificial teeth were 7.82 ± 10.87?m ? 29.26 ± 40.84?m and 30.72 ±40.68?m,which were mainly composed of acrylic polymer.The time weighted average respirable dust concentration of veneering ceramics was close to the national occupational health standards GBZ 2-2002 "workplace harmful factors in the occupational exposure limit",and exceeded the limit which was enacted by the United States occupational safety and health administration(OSHA).Conclusion.Veneering ceramics contains a large number of free silica inhalable dust which is the major cause of silicosis.The chemicals of Cobalt-chromium could be hazardous,but it did only limited harm because of the low dust dispersivity.Photosensitive plastic,hard base resin and advanced artificial teeth dust were mainly composed of acrylic polymer which was less harmful.But the dust dispersivity of photosensitive plastic was high,so it could not be ignored either.