Ceramic and glass-ceramic fillers in dental composites - A review

Abstract

Dental composite fillings are most popular fillings wherein various fillers have been suitably dispersed in a polymerizable resin. Major challenges are to make choice of suitable filler and their distribution in the resin matrix in the development of the dental fillings. Apart from traditional fillers ceramic whiskers, glass fibres, branched fibres and nanoporous powders have also been investigated as fillers in dental composites. Recently, ceramic, and glass-ceramic fillers are attracting attention of the researchers due to their suitable combination of material properties. In the current paper, the prospect of ceramic and glass-ceramics as fillers in fabricating dental composites has been reviewed.

An overview of dental glass–ceramics: From material design to the manufacturing process

“…This has led to a focus on the use of glass-ceramic materials in indirect composite restorations and even in all-ceramic restorations. 34…”

“…Due to the excellent physicochemical properties determined by the chemical composition of glass–ceramics, their introduction as fillers into resin matrix can significantly improve the mechanical strength of traditional dental composites. This has led to a focus on the use of glass–ceramic materials in indirect composite restorations and even in all‐ceramic restorations 34 …”