Dentistry

Ceramics
J.

in dentistry:

Historical

roots and current
DDS, DMedSc, DMD,b in Fixed

perspectives

Robert Kelly, DDS, MS, DMedSc,a Ichiro and Stephen D. Campbell, DDS, MMedS@ of Fixed Prosthodontics, Ad Hoc

Nishimura,
Committee

American Academy Prosthodontics

on Research

This article presents a hrief history of dental ceramics and offers perspectives on recent research aimed at the further development of ceramics for clinical use, at their evaluation aud selection, and very importantly, their clinical performance. Innovative ceramic materials and ceramics processing strategies that were introduced to restorative dentistry since the early 1980s are discussed. Notable research is highlighted regarding (1) wear of ceramics and opposing enamel, (2) polishability of porcelains, (3) influence of firing history on the thermal expansion of porcelains for metal ceramics, (4) machining and CAD/CAM as fabrication methods for clinical restorations, (5) fit of ceramic restorations, (6) clinical failure mechanisms of all-ceramic prostheses, (7) chemical and thermal strengthening of dental ceramics, (8) intraoral porcelain repair, aud (9) criteria for selection of the various ceramics available. It is found that strong scientific and collaborative foundations exist for the continued understanding and improvement of dental ceramic systems. (J PROSTHET DENT 1996;75AS-32.)

Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics recently established the Ad Hoc Committee on Research in Fixed Prosthodontics. This Committee was assigned the responsibility of helping to sustain academic excellence and interest in f=ed prosthodontics, which includes the related sciences, ethics, and social issues. The objective of the Committee was to disseminate knowledge and prepare perceptively for the future by making influential contributions to current literature that will have a significant bearing on the practice of f=ed prosthodontics. Specifically, this involves defining an area of scientific investigation or