Ceramic Materials For Partial-Coverage Restorations

Feldspathic Porcelain: Feldspathic porcelain demonstrates excellent esthetics mimicking natural tooth structure. However, mechanical properties are limited for partial-coverage restorations.

Leucite Glass-Ceramics: Materials like IPS Empress improve on feldspathic porcelain but are still not ideal for partial-coverage restorations. Fracture toughness is relatively low.

Lithium Disilicate: Materials like IPS e.max CAD/Press combine high strength with excellent esthetics. Lithium disilicate is suitable for both anterior and posterior partial-coverage restorations.

Zirconia: High-strength zirconia like Katana Zirconia ML can be used but require specialized bonding protocols. The high opacity imparts a grayish hue.

Hybrid Ceramics: Materials like Vita Enamic exhibit a unique dual-network structure with improved fracture resistance. The part resin composition offsets some of the inferior mechanical properties.

Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramics: PICN materials like Vita Sionic integrate a porous ceramic network with polymer infused. They demonstrate tooth-like elasticity and high fracture resistance.

Conclusion: Lithium disilicate remains the gold standard material for predictably achieving both esthetic and functional goals with partial-coverage restorations. However, newer ceramics like hybrids and PICNs are promising alternatives.