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This not only makes it easier for a clinician to achieve a predictable
color match due to the material’s enamel-like translucency (Fig. 5),
but also allows for more conservative preparations — andwhere we
have more enamel, we tend to have longer-lasting restorations.
VERSATILITY AND HANDLING
Clinicians who strive for simplicity and predictability can find
both in the versatility of lithium disilicate. This one material can
offer appropriate restorative solutions for both anterior and poste-
rior teeth, and both full-coverage and partial-coverage restora-
tions, whether they are bonded or cemented, or whether they are
implant-born or tooth-born. It is a material that can have a place
in most situations. Additionally, there are enough ingots available
to allow a clinician to just as predictably block out a dark tooth or
titanium implant abutment as intentionally permit the underlying
tooth structure to show through to create a natural look.
Furthermore, the properties of lithium disilicate allow the
Figs. 6-7: The character of LithiumDisilicate and enamel
material to be adjusted by a high-speed handpiece with less risk
of fracture propagation when compared to other types of porce-
lain. It can then be easily hand-polished within seconds — even
with a single rubber wheel — back to a flawless, glossy shine that
would suggest it had never been touched. Truly the versatility and
handling properties of this material make our desired restorative
goals simpler and more predictable to achieve.
ESTHETICS AND THE MATERIAL’S ABILITY TO MIMIC NATURE
Most of my current indirect restorative work is accomplished
utilizing in-office CAD/CAM to create my own partial- and full-
coverage crowns for my patients. In my efforts to create natural-
looking restorations that have the ability to blend in with the
surrounding dentition, I have yet to find an indirect material
that appears more enamel-like (both macro and microscopically)
(Figs. 6-7) than lithium disilicate. Simply due to the material’s
properties, I have found there is often little or no need for even
Etched lithium disilicate
Lithium disilicate 7-10
Enamel
Etched enamel
Fig. 8: Before left lateral smile
Fig. 9: Final left lateral smile
MACROSCOPICALLY
MICROSCOPICALLY
