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Do you know your ceramics? Part 3: lithium disilicate

British Dental Journal volume 232, pages 147–150 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Lithium disilicate has become very popular and is very commonly used, especially for highly aesthetic cases. It has also proven to be a very durable material and can be used in a variety of clinical situations. It is important as a clinician, technician or ceramist to be able to confidently use this material by appreciating the detail in its construction. The microstructure has a significant impact on the optical and physical properties of this material. Hence, before the prescription of this type of restoration, it is imperative to be knowledgeable in this aspect. This article explores lithium disilicate as a dental ceramic material in detail.

Key points

  • Explains how the microstructure of lithium disilicate has an impact on its physical properties.

  • Identifies what considerations need to be made in the preparation design when lithium disilicate is the material of choice.

  • Explains the appropriate cementation technique for lithium disilicate ceramics.

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Acknowledgements

Fine Art Studio Dental Lab, Birmingham, produced the ceramic work in Figure 1 and we thank them for all of their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Core Trainee in Restorative Dentistry, University School of Dentistry, Cardiff, UK

    Kiran Kaur

  2. Associate Dentist, West Midlands, UK

    Mojgan Talibi

  3. Owner and Ceramist, Fine Art Dental Studio, Birmingham, UK

    Hit Parmar

Authors
  1. Kiran Kaur
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  2. Mojgan Talibi
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  3. Hit Parmar
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Contributions

Kiran Kaur: lead author; conceptualisation; drafting the manuscript; reviewing and editing of the manuscript to create the final version; and referencing. Mojgan Talibi: second author; conceptualisation; reviewing and editing of the manuscript to create final manuscript; and photographing images and producing them into figures. Hiten Parmar: supervisor and reviewing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mojgan Talibi.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Cite this article

Kaur, K., Talibi, M. & Parmar, H. Do you know your ceramics? Part 3: lithium disilicate. Br Dent J 232, 147–150 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3882-x

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