Surface morphology and fracture in handpiece adjusting of a leucite-reinforced glass ceramic with coarse diamond burs

► Morphology and fracture on the removed leucite-reinforced glass ceramic. ► Morphology consisted of microfracture, chipping, ductile scratches, smear areas. ► Brittle fracture was the primary mechanism for the ceramic removal. ► Lateral and radial cracks due to the mechanical impact of diamond burs. ► Temperature-induced phase transformations were detected in leucite-reinforced glass ceramic, which might cause crack initiation.