Ceramics overview

Ceramic materials have rapidly become the material of choice for indirect restorations. There are a variety of material types available for use such as feldspathic ceramics, glass ceramics and many types of zirconia. Advances in digital dentistry led to a rapid switch from porcelain fused to metal restorations to all-ceramic restorations. Variations in composition, microstructure and processing affect mechanical properties and use of these materials. Having a better understanding of their differences is important for proper clinical selection. Ceramic materials may be classified several ways including by composition, microstructure, processing technique and clinical application. This article reviews the various types of ceramics based on structure and properties that relate to clinical selection. After reading this article, the reader should be able to: explain the types of ceramics in use in dentistry; understand clinical selection based on properties; and discuss the differences in zirconia-based ceramics.