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Dental Porcelain Strengthening — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateDental MaterialsDental Porcelain StrengtheningMFDS Part 1

During conventional powder-condensation fabrication of feldspathic dental porcelain, which process principally consolidates the material and increases its strength by reducing internal porosity?

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Correct answer: C — Sintering under a controlled firing cycle

The correct answer is C. During fabrication of conventional powder-built porcelain, controlled firing causes sintering: adjacent particles coalesce, the ceramic body densifies and much of the residual porosity is eliminated. This reduces internal defects that can act as stress concentrators and therefore improves mechanical performance. The firing schedule must remain within the appropriate sintering range; overfiring can cause pyroplastic deformation and may permit pore enlargement rather than further improvement. Retaining gas voids or deliberately adding pore-forming material increases flaw populations. Reducing alumina, leucite or another reinforcing crystalline phase removes dispersion reinforcement and would generally reduce, not increase, strength.

Reference: Cheung KC, Darvell BW. Sintering of dental porcelain: effect of time and temperature on appearance and porosity. Dental Materials. 2002;18(2):163–173. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11755596/