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Chemical strengthening of a dental lithium disilicate glass–ceramic material
Author(s) -
Fischer Horst,
De Souza Roger A.,
Wätjen Anja M.,
Richter Silvia,
Edelhoff Daniel,
Mayer Joachim,
Martin Manfred,
Telle Rainer
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.31798
Subject(s) - materials science , lithium disilicate , ceramic , composite material , glass ceramic , lithium (medication) , dental ceramics , metallurgy , cubic zirconia , medicine , endocrinology
Chemical strengthening of dental ceramics by ion exchange has hitherto only been confirmed for feldspathic porcelains. The objective of this study was to examine whether the strength of lithium disilicate glass–ceramics can be increased by ion exchange as well. A lithium disilicate glass–ceramic material was treated in different molten salts. The concentration gradients of the relevant ions in the surface layer were investigated by means of electron probe microanalysis and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Characteristic strength and Weibull modulus data were determined. An increase in strength of 25% was achieved by treatment in potassium nitrate. The chemical analyses revealed that the increase in strength resulted from an exchange of potassium for lithium ions. We conclude that ion‐exchange treatments can increase the strength of lithium disilicate glass–ceramics. The improved material could be used for highly stressed applications, such as posterior crowns or inlay‐retained bridges, with higher mechanical reliability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008