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Article: Volume 48 Number 8 Page 680 - September 2021

  Dental Update 492: 680-688  Read article

Restorative dentistry:  Ceramics in dentistry: which material is appropriate for the anterior or posterior dentition? Part 1: the materials science

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Abstract: The large choice of ceramic materials for an indirect restoration has given clinicians a dilemma when choosing a suitable ceramic for restorations in anterior or posterior teeth. Focusing principally on the most commonly used materials, lithium disilicate and zirconia, the aim of Part 1 of this article is to compare the mechanical properties and aesthetics of these two materials. For strength, zirconia possesses superior physical properties when compared with lithium disilicate. However, in terms of aesthetics, lithium disilicate holds advantages. With both materials having different microstructures, the same cementation protocols cannot be used. Other contemporary ceramic materials are briefly reviewed. Part 2 reviews the latest clinical research on their clinical performance.

Clinical relevance: Awareness of which ceramic material performs optimally on anterior and posterior teeth is clinically important.

Author notes: Loo Chien Win, BDS (AIMST), MSc Restorative (Birmingham), Quay Dental Penang, Penang Island, Malaysia. Peter Sands, MSc, BDS, LDS, MFGDP, MCGD, General Dental Practitioner, Abingdon; Part-time Lecturer University of Birmingham, School of Dentistry. Stephen J Bonsor, BDS(Hons), MSc, FHEA, FDS RCPS(Glasg), MDTFEd, GDP, The Dental Practice, 21 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen, UK; Senior Clinical Lecturer, Institute of Dentistry, University of Aberdeen; Online Tutor/Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK. FJ Trevor Burke, DDS, MSc, MDS, MGDS, FDS (RCS Edin), FDS RCS (Eng), FFGDP (UK), FADM, Emeritus Professor, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK. email: ruzia.louisa.0107@gmail.com

Objective: To compare the material properties of lithium disilicate and zirconia.