DENTAL

CERAMICS

DENTAL CERAMICS
A

compound of metals (aluminum,

calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium,
sodium, tin, titanium and zirconium) and
nonmetals such as silicon, boron, fluorine
and oxygen) that may be used as a single
structural component such as when used
in a CAD-CAM inlay or as one of the
several layers that are used in the
fabrication of a ceramic based prosthesis.

DENTAL CERAMICS

are formulated to provide one or more of the

following properties: castablility, moldability,
injectability, color opacity, translucency,
machinability, abrasion, resistance, strength and
toughness. All porcelains and glass ceramics are
ceramics but not all ceramics are porcelains or
glass ceramics.

INDICATIONS
High esthetic requirement.
Considerable proximal caries.
Incisal edge reasonably intact.
Endodontically treated teeth with post-and
cores.
Favourable distribution of occlusal load.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
When superior strength is warranted and metalceramic crown is more appropriate.
Significant caries with insufficient coronal tooth
structure for support.
Thin teeth faciolingually.
Unfavourable distribution of occlusal load.

ADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC RESTORATIONS

The primary advantage ofall-ceramic

restorationsis their esthetics, because there is no
metal substructure to hide.
Other advantages over direct-placement
restorations such as composite resin, glass
ionomer cement, or amalgam include their
biocompatibility, wear resistance under function,
stain resistance, and the ability to precisely place
contacts and contours of the restorations

DISADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC
RESTORATIONS

brittleness (can lead to fracture),

wear of the opposing enamel or restorations,
difficulty or inability to repair them in the mouth,
the need for two appointments (except for
chairside CAD/CAM restorations), and
the difficulty of polishing them in the mouth.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CERAMICS

Classification:
By

Application

By

Crystallization

By

Fabrication Method

CLASSIFICATION BY APPLICATION
Ceramics are used in single and multiunit metalceramic restorations:
Ceramics for metal-ceramic crowns and fixed
partial prostheses
All-ceramic crowns
Ceramic Inlay/Onlay
Ceramic Veneer
Additionally, ceramic orthodontic brackets,
dental implant abutments, and ceramic denture
teeth are available.

CLASSIFICATION BY
CRYSTALLIZATION
Zirconia
Alumina
Spinel
Lithium Disilicate
Feldspar

CLASSIFICATION BY FABRICATION
Soft Machined
Hard machined
Slip Cast
Heat-Pressed
Sintered

USES OF DENTAL CERAMICS

Restorative:
Inlay
Onlay
Veneer
Prosthodontic:
Fixed Partial Dentures
All Ceramic Crowns
Fused to metal Crowns
Pontics for Removable Partial Dentures

COMPOSITION

The final properties of the porcelain depend on

the type of ingredients

In all the different types of porcelain the basic

composition remains the same, only the
proportions vary.

COMPOSITION:

Feldspar (60-80%)
-In its mineral state, feldspar contains potash, soda,
alumina and silica. Chemically, it is designated as
potassium aluminum silicate, KO, Al O, 6SiO
Kaolin (3-4%)
-it consist of the mineral kaolnite represented by the
formula AlO.2SiO.2HO
-it gives porcelain its properties of opaqueness when
mixed with water
-it gives consistency to the mix and forms a workable
mass of porcelain during molding
-when subjected to high temperatures, it binds the
particles and maintains the framework

COMPOSITION:

Boric oxide (2-5%)

-it acts as a ceramic flux
-it reduces the firing temperature and acts as a
glass former. Lithium oxide may also be added.
Glass modifiers
-sodium, potassium and calcium
- silica has a high fusion temperature and has to be
used by adding glass modifiers which lower the firing
temperature.
-these materials occupy the tetrahedron network of
glass thereby reducing the temperature

COMPOSITION:
Water

-this is an important glass modifier though it is not added in

powder. Hydronium ions HO can replace sodium ions or other
ions in the silica matrix.
-this can occur whenever porcelain restorations are exposed to
moist environment.
-it contributes to the slow crack growth within the matrix which
can explain long-term failure in ceramics. Add on glazes are
also considered as glass modifiers.

Quartz
-pure quartz crystals are used in dental porcelain
-they contribute to the stability of the mass during heating
-as they remain unchanged during firing they provide a
framework for other ingredients

COMPOSITION:

Color Pigments
-the dental porcelain is usually colored by the addition
of concentrated color frit.
-high temperature resistant pigments generally metal oxides
are added into the basic glass used in porcelain manufacture.
The color pigments used are:
-Yellowish brown: titanium oxide
-Blue: copper salts
-Green: chromium oxide
-Brown: iron oxide
-Lavender: manganese oxide

COMPOSITION:

Opacifying agents
- generally consist of a metal oxide ground to a very fine
particle size (<5um) to prevent a speckled appearance in
the porcelain. The common oxides used are cerium oxide,
titanium oxide, zirconium oxide.
Stains
- stain is a more concentrated form than a color modifier
-stains are supplied as pure metal oxides
-a color modifier is used to obtain gingival effects or to
highlight body colors. The stain is used as surface
colorants like enamel cracks, decalcification spots to give
a more natural appearance

COMPOSITION:

Glazes
-dental glazes consist of uncolored glass powders, which can
applied to the surface of the crown to produce a glossy surface.
-the thermal expansion of the glaze is less than the body
porcelain.
Function:
-it results in localized softening of the surface and settling of
crystalline particles on the surface.
-it improves the surface durability and properties
-use of glaze seals the pores on the surface
-glazed porcelain retain less plaque and is easier to maintain.

TYPES OF PREPARATIONS

Porcelain-Fused to Metal Crown

CRITERIA
PREPARATION STEPS
INCISAL (OCCLUSAL) REDUCTION
GUIDE GROOVES
INCISAL (OCCLUSAL) REDUCTION
LABIAL REDUCTION GUIDE
GROOVES (TWO PLANE)
LABIAL REDUCTION (TWO PLANE)

AXIAL REDUCTION

LINGUAL REDUCTION
FINISHING OF SHOULDER
(BEVELED SHOULDER)
FINISHING

CRITERIA
1.5-2mm of clearance in intercuspal
positions and all excursions
1.2-1.5 mm of reduction for metal and
porcelain
6 degrees of conversions
Should provide 1mm clearance in all
excursions and if > 1.5mm if occlusal
is porcelain
Shoulder must extend at least 1mm
lingual to proximal contact area, bevel
if selected should be as for incisal as
possible relative to epithelial
attachment
All line angles rounded and
preparation surfaces smooth

All ceramic crowns

PREPARATION STEPS

CRITERIA

Depth grooves for incisal reduction Approximiately 1.3mm deep to allow

for additional reduction during
finishing; perpendicular to long axis of
opposing tooth
Incisal reduction
Clearance of 1.5mm, check excursions
Depth grooves for facial reduction

Depth of 0.8nn needed for additional

reduction during finishing

Partial reduction

Reduciton of 1.2mm needed, two

planes, as for metal-ceramic crown
preparation
Initial depth 0.8 mm; recreate concave
configuration, do not maintain any
convex configurations (stress)
Parallel to cervical aspect of facial
preparations 1mm of reduction,
shoulder follows free gingival margin
Rounded shoulder 1 mm wide minimize
peaks and valleys 90 degree
cavosurface angle
All surfaces smooth and continuous, no
unsupported enamel. 90 degree
cavosurface angle

Depth grooves and lingual

reduction
Depth grooves for cingulum
reduction
Lingual shoulder preparation

Finishing

Inlay Preparation

Onlay Preparation

PREPARATION
STEPS

RECOMMENDED
ARMAMENTARIUM

CRITERIA

Outline

Tapered carbide

Includes existing
restorations and caries
about small undercuts
tolerated
Gingival floor 1mm wide
Clearance for impression
0.6mm

Proximal box

Tapered carbide

Caries Removal

Excavator or round bur

Block out undercuts with

glass ionomer

Margins

Finishing burs
Hand instruments

90 degree butt joint

Heavy chamfer for onlays

Occlusal Clearance

Round tipped diamond

Clearance in all
excursions of 1.5mm

Finishing

Finishing burs
Fine grit diamonds

Rounded internal angles

Smooth margins


PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS

Biocompatibility
-it is well tolerated by soft tissues. A well
glazed porcelain restoration is highly
biocompatible with the oral tissues.
Esthetics
-it is available in varying shades and

Abrasion Resistance
-it has a high abrasion resistance. This can be
a disadvantage in that the opposing natural teeth
undergoes wear. It is an important clinical
consideration in placement of these restorations.
Chemical Properties
-it is extremely resistant to chemical and
solvents
- hydrofluoric acid alone dissolves ceramic
materials

Thermal properties
-thermal conductivity is low (20x10/C)
-linear shrinkage
-14 percent for low fusing porcelain
-11.5 percent for high fusing porcelain
-volumetric shrinkage
-2-37 percent for low fusing porcelain
-28-34 percent for high fusing porcelain
- precise control of condensation is required to
compensate for the shrinkage.

Physical properties
-ceramics are considered as super cooled
liquids or non-crystalline solids
-is properties are dependent not only on the
composition but also on the thermal history
-ceramics are brittle materials as they lack
tensile strength.
-when stress is applied they do not deform
plastically, instead develop surface flaws or
cracks. It has low fracture toughness and so
techniques have been used to strengthen
ceramics.

Mechanical properties
-compressive strength-172 MN/ m
-shear strength -110MN/m
-transverse strength- 62-90MN/m
-diametrical tensile strength- 34MN/m
-it has high compressive strength
-it has a low tensile strength