Porcelain (Feldspathic)
Feldspathic porcelain gives tooth-coloured restorations high translucency, but its lower strength brings fracture and chipping concerns.
[1]The short answer
Feldspathic porcelain is a highly translucent ceramic used for tooth-coloured crowns and veneers, with lower strength than newer ceramics.
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What is feldspathic porcelain?
| Material | Distinctive point |
|---|---|
| Feldspathic porcelain | High translucency, with inherently brittle behaviour and flexural strength of about 50 to 100 MPa.[1] |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal | A metal framework strengthens the porcelain, but the framework and opaque layer limit the appearance.[1] |
What properties does it have?
Feldspathic porcelain is highly translucent but inherently brittle. Its relatively low flexural strength is why porcelain was later fused to metal and why stronger glass-ceramics were developed.
[1]Where is porcelain used?
What can be used instead?
Alternatives include lithium disilicate, zirconia, leucite-reinforced glass and glass-infiltrated alumina. Porcelain-fused-to-metal remains another route, using a metal framework beneath porcelain.
[1]What does the material choice mean for appearance?
What are the durability and complication concerns?
Ceramic restorations can fracture when flexed excessively, and veneer chipping is a recognised complication. Metal-ceramic crowns have reported ten-year survival of 97%, while feldspathic porcelain and glass-ceramic laminate veneers have reported overall survival of 89% after an average of nine years.
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