Heat-pressed ceramics: technology and strength.

The flexural strength of a new heat-pressed ceramic material (IPS-Empress) was measured before and after pressing and/or simulated firing treatments (eg, veneering, surface coloring, glazing). Heat pressing the material significantly improved its flexure strength whereas heat treating the material alone did not. Additional firings (heat treatments) after heat pressing further increased material strength. The final strength values ranged between 160 and 180 MPa and were comparable to some other all-ceramic systems. No clinical implications were drawn from these data.