Introduction:

cobalt chromium and chromium nickel alloys are the most used in dental prostheses manufacturing due to their biocompatibility, high mechanical properties, market availability and reasonable costs; however, the scrap metal of these alloys generated in dental laboratories is thrown in the garbage without proper disposal, causing environmental problems because they are heavy metals and the particles of which do not disintegrate neither chemically nor biologically and remain in the environment for several years. Decontamination methods are expensive and long-term, therefore this waste is dispersed into the ecosystem through leachates which pollute the soil, the water and the air, reaching the food chain and impacting the health of the population.

Objective:

to recycle cobalt chromium and nickel chromium alloy scrap metal generated in dental prostheses manufacturing.

Materials and methods:

experimental study resulting from an applied research. The collection, classification, quantification and adaptation of the scrap metal was carried out; the recycled material is weighed, labeled, packed in plastic bags and provided to students for academic purposes. Results: a decrease in scrap metal generated in the production of dental prostheses was obtained, with a verifiable indicator of 7 Kg scrap metal generated / 6 Kg of recycled material = 1.2. The recycled material was provided to the students as raw material for academic purposes in the learning processes of smelting and casting dental prostheses, it allowed elaborating instruments that serve in the daily tasks of the dental laboratory such as welding bars, wrenches for implant screws which have a high cost in the market.

Conclusions:

recycling plays a fundamental role in the preservation of the environment, it allows the reduction of electrical energy consumption, the decrease of greenhouse gases, and the reduction of soil, air and water pollution. This project made it possible to generate environmental awareness among the students of the program, reducing and taking advantage of the scrap metal generated in dental prostheses manufacturing and thus contributing from the profession to the sustainable development and environmental quality.