A novel study on dental porcelain from indigenous raw materials: enhancing the physical and mechanical properties...

Porcelain is a fundamental material in restorative dentistry due to its extensive use in full-coverage crowns, inlays, all-ceramic bridges, veneering systems, castable ceramics, and porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. Its durability, glass-like structure, and close resemblance to natural tooth enamel make it a preferred choice for esthetic dental applications. The present study aims to develop an improved dental ceramic material that meets the increasing clinical demand for high-performance and esthetically reliable restorations. The physical, mechanical, thermal, and optical characteristics of newly formulated feldspathic porcelain made from locally produced Iraqi raw materials are examined in this work in relation to the impact of nano-additive integration. The high silica and alumina content and low impurity levels of the chosen feldspar, kaolin, and quartz allow for the manufacture of ceramic qualities similar to those of dental porcelains that are sold commercially. Additionally, there are benefits to using these locally accessible resources in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. A mixture of 5% kaolin, 75% feldspar, and 20% quartz was made and then heated to 1100 degrees Celsius to improve its properties. Adding nano-sized alumina (AlO₃), titania (TiO₂), and bismuth oxide (BiO₃) to the composition with 0.75 weight% TiO₂ and 0.75 weight% BiO₃ made the material much less porous (from 0.83% to 0.45%) and less able to absorb water (from 0.76% to 0.33%). There was also an increase in apparent density (from 1.83 to 3.26 g/cm³) and diametrical strength (from 12 to 23.66 MPa). The changed porcelain also had optical properties that were very similar to those of natural teeth. The composition with 0.75 weight% TiO₂ and 0.75 weight% BiO₃ showed better colour stability, which suggests that it might be good for aesthetic veneering applications.