THE JOURNAL OF THE TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE SOCIETY

Vol. 107 No. 6                   2007

ISSN: 0037-3710      UBIC: 342-J

ABSTRACT

The flexural strength and fracture toughness of zirconia are markedly superior to those of other ceramic materials. However, in applying zirconia to dental restorative, research in its properties should be undertaken from various points of view. In use as an oral restorative, after preparation of the zirconia core using a CAD/CAM system, the surface must be sandblasted and covered with a veneer of porcelain by firing to achieve a functional and esthetic match with the patient. Because of the quite large mechanical energy that is loaded onto the zirconia surface by machining and sandblasting, phase conversion of the zirconia occurs on the surface. As the converted crystal phase is then recovered by the heat treatment, the mechanical properties also change. Zirconia shows some properties that would be considered impossible in the conventional ceramic materials. In this review, the properties of zirconia in the realization of all ceramic restoration are described. Key words: All-ceramic restoration, Metal-free restoration, Zirconia, Mechanical properties

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