Effect of Al2O3 on leucite based bioactive glass ceramic composite for dental veneering

A wide variety of dental ceramic composites have been introduced in the restorative dentistry in order to associate the desired aesthetics and superior mechanical performance. Mechanochemically derived leucite based bioactive glass ceramic composites have been prepared and studied by their thermal, crystal structure, microstructural, mechanical and biological behavior. In the prepared glass-ceramic composites, fine alumina has been added to improve their mechanical properties because it has biocompatibility, high hardness and good mechanical strength. Flexural strength and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) have been studied and the results are compared to the commercial dentine. Alumina added glass ceramic composites show high flexural strength than that of the pure leucite based glass ceramic composite. A second phase nepheline has been formed in the alumina added samples. Nepheline has high CTE. This causes a slight increase in the CTE of the whole matrix. Micrographs show the complete attachment and proliferation of the SSC-25 cells on the surface of the samples. This confirms the bioactive behavior of the prepared composites. Therefore, it is concluded that the addition of alumina to the glass ceramic composite is a successful approach to improve its mechanical and biological properties.