title: A new classification system for all-ceramic and ceramic-like restorative materials.
abstract: Classification systems for all-ceramic materials are useful for communication and educational purposes and warrant continuous revisions and updates to incorporate new materials. This article proposes a classification system for ceramic and ceramic-like restorative materials in an attempt to systematize and include a new class of materials. This new classification system categorizes ceramic restorative materials into three families: (1) glass-matrix ceramics, (2) polycrystalline ceramics, and (3) resin-matrix ceramics. Subfamilies are described in each group along with their composition, allowing for newly developed materials to be placed into the already existing main families. The criteria used to differentiate ceramic materials are based on the phase or phases present in their chemical composition. Thus, an all-ceramic material is classified according to whether a glass-matrix phase is present (glass-matrix ceramics) or absent (polycrystalline ceramics) or whether the material contains an organic matrix highly filled with ceramic particles (resin-matrix ceramics). Also presented are the manufacturers' clinical indications for the different materials and an overview of the different fabrication methods and whether they are used as framework materials or monolithic solutions. Current developments in ceramic materials not yet available to the dental market are discussed.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gracis
authors.forename: Van P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jonathan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ferencz
authors.forename: Nelson R F A
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Estevam A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bonfante
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000145:classification*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001031:Apatites; D003764:Dental Materials; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C493120:lithia disilicate; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D003776:Dental Porcelain; C016447:feldspar; C078519:leucite; D015019:Yttrium; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C023506:Glass ceramics; D015040:Zirconium; D008274:Magnesium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C025105:fluorapatite; C028541:zirconium oxide