Lithium Ion Strengthening of Dental Porcelain

The effects of experimental lithium-containing ion exchange pastes on dental porcelain were compared with a commercial ion stregthening paste. Maximum biaxial flexure strength using the experimental pastes was obtained by firing lithium paste containing 200 g per L lithium sulphate dihydrate for 45 minutes at 750 degress celcius onto the surface of the porcelain. However, the commercial paste produced the greatest strengthening overall.