Chemical tempering of feldspathic porcelain for dentistry applications: A review

Feldspathic porcelains are the most used ceramics for esthetic dental restorations due to their superior optical properties and their adhesive behavior, standing out among all the others. However, their mechanical performance is usually not appropriate enough for the oral environment, being chipping and fracture the most commonly reported failures. Different approaches have been suggested to improve their mechanical behavior, including chemical tempering by ion exchange. However, the highlighting of other materials drew attention to this promising process, missing the opportunity to take advantage of the esthetic and adhesive characteristics of feldspathic porcelains in more demanding situations. Chemical tempering by ion exchange has evolved with remarkable improvements, offering new possibilities for feldspathic porcelains. Thus, a contemporary critical perspective is presented. [Display omitted] •Chemical tempering of feldspathic porcelains has evolved remarkably.•Superior mechanical results can be achieved in a reasonable time frame.•Thin and ultrathin esthetic restorations could benefit from ion-exchange strengthened feldspathic porcelains.