Who Are the Hybrid Ceramics? A Bibliometric Review
The International Journal of Prosthodontics
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Researchers reviewed 771 studies on hybrid ceramics in dental prosthodontics. They identified 25 biomaterials labeled as hybrid ceramics, highlighting a need for clearer classification due to frequent mislabeling in research.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Prosthodontics
Background:
- The dental prosthodontics market features numerous novel materials.
- Hybrid ceramics have emerged as a category of significant research interest.
- Current ambiguity exists regarding the precise definition and classification of hybrid ceramics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify biomaterials labeled as 'hybrid ceramics' in dental prosthodontics research.
- To describe the principal properties of these identified hybrid ceramic biomaterials.
- To clarify the nomenclature and classification of hybrid ceramics through a bibliometric and narrative review.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to June 15, 2024.
- Commercial names of biomaterials designated as 'hybrid ceramic' for dental prostheses were retrieved.
- Articles focusing on hybrid ceramic abutments were excluded from the analysis.
Main Results:
- A total of 771 studies mentioning 'hybrid ceramic' were identified, with 226 selected for this bibliometric study.
- Twenty-five distinct biomaterials were identified and labeled as hybrid ceramics.
- These included experimental biomaterials, indirect lutable composites, glass ceramics, printable resins, and resin-based CAD/CAM blocks, with properties detailed where available.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid ceramics are frequently researched but often mislabeled in scientific literature.
- The current classification of hybrid ceramics is insufficient.
- A new, more detailed classification system for hybrid ceramics is necessary to address research and clinical ambiguity.
