All Ceramic Materials in Dentistry: Past, Present and Future: A Review

ABSTRACT

Fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with high-strength all-ceramicsystems are necessary for replacing missing teeth. Widerange of materials and methods are available to fabricate arestoration outside the mouth and subsequently integratewith a tooth. The traditional methods of ceramic fabricationhave been described to be time-consuming, techniquesensitive, and rather unpredictable due to the many variablespresent which affect the outcome. All-ceramic restorations,has become a segment of dentistry which has experiencedtremendous improvements in the recent years. The increasinguse of polycrystalline alumina and zirconia as frameworkmaterials and the increasing popularity and variety ofcomputer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing(CAD-CAM) systems seem to be mutually accelerating trendsover the last three decades. This article presents a review ofthe development of all-ceramic restorations, including theevolution and development of materials, technologies andhow to improve the strength of all-ceramic restorations, withrespect to survival, applications, strength, color, and aesthetics.The literature demonstrates that multiple all-ceramic materialsand systems that are currently available for clinical use andconcludes there is not a single universal material or, systemavailable to suit for all clinical situations.