Comparison of two tests to determine the castability of dental alloys.

This study compared castability values in the Whitlock test with those obtained from a new castability monitor based on a dental restoration. Five metal ceramic casting alloys were induction cast with both a carbon-containing and a noncarbon phosphate-bonded casting investment to assess the reliability of the Whitlock mesh test in predicting alloy castability. Alloy performance in the Whitlock test did not parallel that of the replica coping test for all alloy-investment pairs, as would be anticipated for a reliable monitor of castability. In addition, the variability of the Whitlock castability values for some alloys was sufficient to question the test's usefulness in refining the casting process with a specific alloy.