Effects of repeated processing on the strength and microstructure of a heat-pressed dental ceramic.

Statement Of Problem: The excess material produced after heat pressing a lithium disilicate glass ceramic restoration can be either discarded or reused. The reuse of this material requires that any degradation of the material quality be investigated.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of times that leftover lithium disilicate material can be re-pressed and to determine the effect that repeated use has on material properties.