Can dental Lithium disilicate be used for full crowns?

Dental Lithium disilicate (glass ceramics) can be used to make full crowns, and because of its excellent aesthetic properties and certain mechanical strength, it is often used in full crown restoration of anterior teeth and some posterior teeth in clinical practice.

1.Characteristics of glass ceramics

Advantages:

Natural beauty: The light transmittance is close to that of natural enamel, especially suitable for anterior tooth restoration.

Biocompatibility: No metal, not easy to be allergic or cause gingival staining.

Good bonding performance: It can be tightly bonded to the tooth body through resin adhesive to enhance marginal closure.

Limitations:

Medium strength: Although better than traditional feldspar ceramics, the mechanical strength is still lower than that of zirconia or metal crowns, and the bite force in the posterior area needs to be carefully evaluated.

Brittleness: It may break when subjected to excessive impact (such as patients with bruxism should use it with caution).

2.Applicable scenarios

Recommended use:

Full crowns of anterior teeth: areas with high aesthetic requirements (such as incisors and canines).

Premolars (bicuspids): moderate bite force and aesthetic considerations.

Inlays/onlays: can also be used for partial crown restorations.

Use with caution/not recommended:

Full crowns for posterior molars: if the patient has excessive bite force or bruxism, zirconia or metal crowns are preferred.

Bridges with large spans: Glass ceramics are usually not used for multi-unit long bridge restorations.