PETERS DENTAL CERAMIC STUDIO LTD.
TORONTO, CANADA
WHAT IS BIO-COMPATIBILITY ?
An
alloy is bio-compatible when it is compatible with a living organism. To be
"compatible" is to be capable of co-existing with another element.
In medical terms, it means: which does not cause immunological rejection on
behalf of the host.
In
dentistry, the alloys to be used intra-orally must be bio-compatible, in order
to ensure that they will not provoke any rejection or tissue inflammation, and
that the organism will not be affected by their presence.
In
order to prove scientifically the bio-compatibility of the alloys it
manufactures, BEGO decided to have all of its alloys tested by private and
independent research institutes. A protocol was therefore written and the
research projects were entrusted to worldwide renowned firms.
The German corporation Cytotest Research GmbH & Co was asked to
test the cytotoxic potential of BEGO's alloys.
The Swiss company R.C.C. (Re- search &
Consulting Company) was asked to make certain that the alloys, after
having successfully undergone the cytotoxicity tests, would not cause either
coetaneous irritation nor allergic sensitivity.
Finally, on a given alloy, a total of two tests must be conducted by two
different research institutes - independent from one to another and having no
links with the alloy's manufacturer.
We at Peters Dental Ceramic Studio take the issue of biocompatibility very
seriously. With wide media coverage, the patient is now a very wise
consumer and is concerned about what is being placed in their mouth.
While researching the different alloy companies available to us, we were looking
for a company that performed extensive research and testing on all their
alloys. BEGO, a company with over 100 years in the dental alloy field is the
only company that sends all their alloys for independent testing for
biocompatibility and toxicity.
With every case that is sent out from our laboratory, a certificate of
biocompatibility is provided for the practitioner and the patient. This is one
of our quality control measures to ensure that the patient is receiving a
safe restoration.
We have also invested heavily in the purchase of a state of the art
pressure induction casting machine which ensures the perfect melt of every
alloy. This guarantees that the alloys will not be over heated and its
properties altered, hence guaranteeing biocompatibility. Here again, a
certificate is provided showing the results of the casting.
A laser welder was also added to our laboratory to ensure that all welds are
done with the same alloy rather than using solders which would alter the safety
of the alloy.
Safety for the patient as well as for our technicians handling the materials is
of great concern to us, and we have done everything possible to ensure that the
best quality product will leave our laboratory.
