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Material guide

Lithium Silicate Ceramic

Lithium-silicate ceramics provide tooth-coloured indirect restorations with selectable translucency, while zirconia-reinforced forms offer an alternative.

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The short answer

Lithium-silicate ceramics are glass-based restorative materials related to lithium disilicate, with similar indications and available zirconia-reinforced forms. They are used when a tooth-coloured indirect restoration is required.

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Lithium Silicate Ceramic dental educational illustration

What is lithium-silicate ceramic?

Ceramic family comparison
MaterialRecorded property
Lithium disilicateFlexural strength is reported at 250 to 400 MPa[1][2]
Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicateContains 10% dissolved zirconia[1][2]

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What properties does it have?

Lithium disilicate has low, medium, and high translucency forms. It is stronger than other glass-based ceramics and more translucent than zirconia, although wear and milled-surface roughness are recognised issues.

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Where is it used?

These ceramics are used for indirect restorations, including full-coverage crowns and anterior restorations where tooth-coloured appearance matters.

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What are the alternatives?

Lithium silicate and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate have similar properties and indications. Zirconia is stronger in some applications, while lithium disilicate provides greater translucency.

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What does the material mean for a restoration?

A clinician can select among translucency levels and ceramic families to match the restoration’s appearance and functional demands. The material is made for indirect, tooth-coloured restorations.

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What can happen over time?

Clinical failure can involve microorganism infiltration, recurrent caries, pulpal lesions, periodontal inflammation, cement exposure, fracture, or chipping. A systematic review reported a 97.6% survival rate for lithium disilicate crowns in a cited critical review.

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Reported restoration outcomes
IssueRecorded finding
Lithium disilicate crownsA cited review reported 97.6% survival[1][2]
Common complicationsFracturing and chipping are reported[1][2]

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Frequently asked questions

Is lithium disilicate more translucent than zirconia?

The material review describes lithium disilicate as more translucent than zirconia, while zirconia can provide higher strength in selected applications.

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Keep reading

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