Advances and current research in ceramic restorative materials.

Ceramics are currently the most widely used material for veneering crowns and bridges. Newer applications, such as bonded inlays, onlays, and veneers, are steadily gaining in popularity. A new generation of metal-free, all-ceramic systems for crowns became available during the 1980s. More recently, other all-ceramic systems with improved mechanical properties affording a variety of uses have been introduced. Also, a computer-assisted design-computer-assisted manufacture method of fabricating ceramic inlays has become a routine treatment entity with favorable 5-year clinical data. Research is leading to a better understanding of conventional ceramic systems as well as providing information on laboratory manipulation and clinical methodology for optimal results.