Keynote Address: Novel Machining and Sintering Technologies for State-of-the-art Digital Dentistry

Abstract Body: The purpose of this presentation is to critically examine the current understanding of dental ceramics for the digital workflow and to identify future research needs for these materials in relation to novel fabrication and processing methodologies. With rapid advances in material development and digital technology, time efficiency of dental workflow and fit accuracy of ceramic restorations are ever improving. Zirconia and lithia-based glass–ceramics are at the forefront of this advance. The trend in fabrication is to move from CAD/CAM grinding partially sintered/crystallized blocks to fully sintered/crystallized materials, thereby circumventing the need for post-machining heat treatment; or to drastically reduce the ceramic sintering time. In these endeavors, a better understanding of mechanical properties and evolving shaping and densification technologies such as ductile grinding and ultrafast sintering is paramount. Challenges facing the implementation of new technologies in the efficient development and production of high quality dental ceramic prostheses will be addressed.