Heat-pressed ionomer glass-ceramics. Part I: an investigation of flow and microstructure

This study investigated a series of ionomer glasses based on the formula: 4.5SiO(2)-1.5P(2)O(5-)(X)Al(2)O(3)-4.5CaO-0.5CaF(2), where X was varied from 3.0 to 1.5. The possibility of processing ionomer glasses using a heat-pressing method for dental restorations was investigated.

A simple flow test was designed to measure the amount of flow the glasses underwent as a result of heat-pressing at 1150 degrees C for different times. Heat-pressed samples of the X=3.0, 2.8, 2.4 and 2.0 glass were further heat-treated for 1 and 4 h at 1150, 1200 and 1250 degrees C to promote crystal growth. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the glass-ceramics. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the crystalline phases in the glass-ceramics.

The ionomer glasses exhibited excellent flow ability. Crystallization could not be suppressed during heat-pressing. Very fine scale fluorapatite crystals were present in all of the samples after heat-pressing. Mullite and/or anorthite formed as a second crystal phase. On further heat-treatment of the samples, changes in crystal phases took place.

Apatite was the main crystalline phase produced in the glass-ceramics; this factor is of clinical significance. In conclusion these glass-ceramics could be suitable for all-ceramic dental restorations.