Preparation and Characterization of P2O5 Containing Canasite Glass-Ceramics as Potential Materials for Dental Restorations

Various analysis techniques were used to investigate the effects of P2O5 on the crystallization, mechanical features, and chemical resistance of canasite-based glass-ceramics. The results showed that canasite-type crystals were the primary crystalline phase in the examined glass-ceramics subjected to the two-step heat treatment, while fluorapatite was the secondary crystalline phase in some specimens. The microstructural observations by field emission electron microscope indicated that the randomly oriented interlocked blade-like canasite crystals decreased with an increase in the P2O5 content of the parent glasses. Among the examined glass-ceramics, the BaseP2 composition (containing 2 weight ratios of P2O5 in the glass) showed the most promising mechanical features (flexural strength of 176 MPa and fracture toughness of 2.9 MPa.m1/2) and chemical resistance (solubility of 2568 & mu;g/cm2). This glass-ceramic could be further considered as a core material for dental restorations.