RECENT ADVANCES IN CERAMICS FOR DENTISTRY

For the last ten years, the application of high-technology processes t o dental ceramics allowed for the development of new materials such as heat-pressed, injection-molded, and slip-cast ceramics and glass-cera mics. The purpose of the present paper is to review advances in new ma terials and processes available for making all-ceramic dental restorat ions. Concepts on the structure and strengthening mechanisms of dental ceramics are provided. Major developments in materials for all-cerami c restorations are addressed. These advances include improved processi ng techniques and greater mechanical properties. An overview of the pr ocessing techniques available for ail-ceramic materials is given, incl uding sintering, casting, machining, slip-casting, and heat-pressing. The most recent ceramic materials are reviewed with respect to their p rincipal crystalline phases, including leucite, alumina, forsterite, z irconia, mica, hydroxyapatite, lithium disilicate, sanidine, and;spine l. Finally, a summary of flexural strength data available for ail-cera mic materials is included.