Flexural strength and translucent characteristics of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics with different P2O5 content

Lithium disilicate glass-ceramics derived from the SiO2-Li2O-K2O-Al2O3-ZrO2-P2O5 system with different P2O5 content (from 0.5 mol.% to 2.0 mol.% at a step of 0.5 mol.%) were prepared for dental restorative application. Flexural strength of final glass-ceramics and translucent characteristics expressed in term of contrast ratio (CR) were measured. The interrelations between P2O5 content, microstructure and properties were discussed. Glass-ceramic with a P2O5 content of 1.0 mol.%, in which elongated rod-like Li2Si2O5 crystals formed an interlocking microstructure, showed the highest flexural strength and suitable contrast ratio for dental restorative application.