Search Results (1,114)

This study systematically explores the impacts of germanium (Ge) substitution for aluminium (Al) on the structure and properties of calcium fluoro-alumino-silicate glass (4.5SiO₂-3Al₂O₃-1.5P₂O₅-3CaO-2CaF₂) and its derived glass-ceramics, aiming to mitigate Al-induced biological toxicity in the materials. Glass samples with 0–60 mol% Ge substitution were prepared via melting–quenching, and comprehensively characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Results show that the base glass contains three crystalline phases: fluorapatite (FAp, Ca₅(PO₄)₃F), anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈), and aluminium phosphate (AlPO₄). Ge⁴⁺ integrates into the glass network as [GeO₄] tetrahedra without forming independent Ge-based phases; with rising Ge substitution ratio, FAp mass fraction increases from 36% to 65%, anorthite decreases from 46% to 18%, and glass transition temperature (Tg) drops from 678 °C to 617 °C. High Ge substitution (≥40 mol%) triggers network relaxation and spherical particle formation, and local Ca/P ratio reduction drives FAp morphological reconstruction, while low Ge content (≤20 mol%) promotes regular phase crystallisation. The optimal Ge substitution level is 20 mol%, which cuts Al content by 20% to alleviate toxicity, moderately reduces enthalpy for improved sinterability, and realises synergistic mechanical reinforcement via FAp, anorthite and AlPO₄. This material integrates low toxicity, favourable sinterability and excellent bioactivity, providing a novel strategy for developing low-Al, high-bioactivity glass-ceramics for dental and bone repair applications. Full article

(1) Background: This pilot study compared restorative practices, material-selection criteria, digital workflow adoption, and perceptions of hybrid restorative materials among 100 Romanian and foreign dentists; (2) Methods: Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire covering three domains: knowledge and clinical practice, material selection and professional perspectives, and Katana Avencia evaluation. Statistical analysis examined both item-level differences and multivariate response patterns; (3) Results: Although foreign dentists tended to favor zirconia restorations, responses within the knowledge and clinical practice domain were comparable between groups. Within the material selection and professional perspectives domain, professional perceptions of glass-ceramic restorations differed significantly between groups (p = 0.005, V = 0.45). Romanian dentists were more likely to identify translucency and durability as their main advantages, whereas foreign dentists emphasized optical and adhesive performance. Perceived barriers to CAD/CAM adoption also varied significantly (p < 0.001, V = 0.50), with Romanian dentists reporting structural barriers and foreign dentists reporting educational barriers. Significant differences in the perceived role of continuing professional education (p = 0.012, V = 0.38) reflected the greater importance assigned to continuing professional education by foreign dentists. The remaining items in this domain showed no significant differences. Both groups similarly evaluated the clinical reliability and esthetic performance of Katana Avencia restorations. However, they differed significantly in their preferred clinical indications (p < 0.001, V = 0.50), with foreign dentists favoring definitive anterior restorations and Romanian dentists favoring provisional and stress-absorbing applications. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct response profiles, with Romanian dentists associated with structural barriers to digital adoption and foreign dentists associated with continuing professional education and esthetic-oriented practice; (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest broad professional convergence within this pilot cohort, with the observed differences being associated with respondents’ perceptions of practice-related barriers, digital infrastructure, and continuing professional education. Given the exploratory, cross-sectional, and self-reported nature of the study, these associations should not be interpreted as evidence of causal or objectively measured differences between healthcare environments. Full article

Two-dimensional GaS_xTe_1−x alloy nanosheets with different compositions were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using GaS and GaTe powders as precursors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed their sheet-like morphology and the uniform distribution of S and Te, while Raman and photoluminescence measurements revealed composition-dependent vibrational and emission characteristics. Te-rich samples exhibited position-dependent emission ranging from the red to the near-infrared region, whereas increasing the S content gradually shifted the emission toward the blue-green region. Among the synthesized samples, GaS_0.9Te_0.1 showed a relatively stable photoluminescence peak near 520 nm and was therefore selected as a fluorescent powder for latent fingermark development. Its performance was evaluated on glass, stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic surfaces and compared with that of silver powder, gold powder, and commercial red fluorescent powder. GaS_0.9Te_0.1 produced clear fluorescent ridge patterns and strong background contrast, particularly on glass, plastic, and white ceramic. The mean contrast across the four substrates reached 25.83, exceeding that of the reference powders. These results demonstrate that GaS_xTe_1−x nanosheets possess tunable optical properties and that GaS_0.9Te_0.1 is a promising fluorescent material for latent fingermark development on non-porous surfaces. Full article

Glass-ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials obtained by controlled crystallization of glasses through different processing routes; they contain at least one functional crystalline phase together with a residual glass, and the crystallized fraction may range from trace levels to nearly complete crystallization. Transparent glass-ceramics (TGCs) constitute the optically transparent subset of this class and combine a controlled crystalline microstructure with a residual amorphous matrix. Their transparency distinguishes them from conventional opaque glass-ceramics and is achieved by minimizing light scattering through careful control of crystallite size, volume fraction, spatial distribution, and refractive-index mismatch between the crystalline and glassy phases. Unlike conventional sintered ceramics, TGCs retain many of the processing advantages of glass while incorporating crystalline phases that can enhance mechanical, thermal, optical, or functional properties. Depending on their composition and microstructure, TGCs may exhibit improved hardness, fracture toughness, thermal stability, chemical durability, luminescence, nonlinear optical response, or ion-exchange strengthening capability. These features make TGCs attractive for applications requiring both optical clarity and advanced performance, including protective cover glass, transparent armour, precision optical substrates, laser and photonic components, optical sensors, and multifunctional host materials for rare-earth ions and nanoparticles. Full article

Lanthanide-doped Ca₂Nb₂O₇ offers versatile and tunable luminescence properties. Previous studies have shown that Pr³⁺-doped and Pr³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Ca₂Nb₂O₇ ceramics exhibit non-destructive mechanoluminescence, up- and down-conversion luminescence, and thermoluminescence, with potential for optical temperature sensing. However, to date, niobate glass–ceramics (GCs) remain largely unexplored, although they would offer excellent temperature resistance, high chemical durability, controllable crystallization, and the possibility to combine functional properties. This study investigates Pr³⁺ single doping and Pr³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doping in glass–ceramics prepared from niobium-containing calcium aluminosilicate glasses with the composition 55CaO-(35-x)Al₂O₃-10SiO₂-xNb₂O₅ (mol%, where x = 0, 10). The aim is to obtain glass–ceramics containing Ca₂Nb₂O₇ crystals with a layered perovskite structure and to evaluate their suitability as hosts for rare-earth ions. The luminescence properties of both parent glasses and GCs were investigated, and it is shown that the glasses show intrinsic luminescence which, when doped, enables sensitization of rare-earth elements via charge transfer. Furthermore, several interesting photoluminescence mechanisms were observed in the doped GCs, including (i) Er³⁺ up-conversion from the NIR to the visible, (ii) variations in the relative intensities of Er³⁺ hypersensitive transitions, reflecting changes in site symmetry, and (iii) a charge transfer process to the activator ions under UV excitation. These phenomena extend the accessible excitation range for rare-earth emission. Overall, the developed Ca₂Nb₂O₇ GCs demonstrate efficient dopant integration, confirming their suitability as lanthanide hosts for advanced photonic, sensing and energy conversion applications. Full article

Yb³⁺-containing glasses and glass-ceramics are attractive photonic materials because Yb³⁺ can act simultaneously as a near-infrared absorber, an energy-transfer sensitizer, a luminescent center, and a composition-dependent modifier of glass structure and crystallization. This brief review focuses on crystallization from parent glasses to glass-ceramics and examines glass-network chemistry, local Yb³⁺ coordination, phase separation, viscosity, heating rate, treatment temperature, holding time control nucleation, crystal growth, phase selection, rare-earth partitioning, transparency, and optical performance. Representative oxyfluoride, phosphate, oxyapatite, borosilicate, and aluminosilicate systems are compared using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy. The available data show that Yb₂O₃ or YbF₃ does not have a universal effect on crystallization: low concentrations can promote fluoride-rich clustering or lower the apparent crystallization barrier, whereas higher concentrations can increase packing density, stabilize the residual glass, change the competitive phase assemblage, or suppress crystallization. Crystallization-enhanced luminescence is most consistently obtained when Yb³⁺ and the activator partition into low-phonon-energy nanocrystals while crystal size and refractive-index mismatch remain sufficiently small to preserve transparency. This review also identifies major reporting gaps, including limited quantification of crystalline fraction, partition coefficients, luminescence lifetime, quantum efficiency, and long-term thermal stability. Practical design guidelines and unresolved questions are proposed to support the rational development of transparent Yb³⁺-containing glass-ceramics for lasers, sensing, optical amplification, and related photonic applications. Full article

Background: CAD/CAM dental ceramics are widely used for indirect restorations because of their favorable esthetic properties, biocompatibility, and mechanical performance. However, long-term exposure to thermal fluctuations, moisture, and cyclic loading may compromise their structural integrity. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effect of artificial aging protocols on the mechanical properties of CAD/CAM dental ceramics. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Google Scholar, and ProQuest from inception to June 2026. In vitro studies evaluating CAD/CAM ceramics subjected to thermocycling and/or artificial aging protocols were included. The primary outcomes were flexural strength and fracture resistance. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) or pooled means with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to ceramic category, and sensitivity analyses were performed using a leave-one-out approach. Results: Five studies comprising 16 independent comparisons were included in the flexural strength meta-analysis, while five studies contributed 11 comparisons to the fracture resistance analysis. Artificial aging protocols significantly reduced the flexural strength of CAD/CAM ceramics (SMD = −1.68; 95% CI: −2.28 to −1.08; p < 0.00001). The greatest reduction was observed in zirconia-based ceramics (SMD = −3.31), followed by hybrid/PICN ceramics (SMD = −1.37) and lithium disilicate/lithium silicate ceramics (SMD = −1.25). Feldspathic and glass-based ceramics showed no significant reduction. The pooled fracture resistance after aging was 1312.85 N (95% CI: 1131.59–1494.10 N), indicating that most CAD/CAM ceramics maintained clinically relevant fracture resistance despite aging. Conclusions: Artificial aging protocols adversely affect the flexural strength of CAD/CAM dental ceramics, particularly zirconia-based materials. Nevertheless, fracture resistance generally remains within clinically acceptable ranges. Material composition plays a critical role in determining susceptibility to aging-related degradation, highlighting the importance of ceramic selection for long-term restorative performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: This in vitro study evaluated the fracture resistance of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) resin-matrix ceramic crowns cemented with three adhesive resin cements and three novel resin-modified glass ionomer cements. Methods: Ninety crowns representing a maxillary left central incisor were milled from a resin-based nanoceramic hybrid material (Cerasmart, GC) using a chairside CAD-CAM system (Primescan). The typodont preparation included 1.5-mm incisal reduction, 1.5-mm axial reduction, and a 1.0-mm chamfer finish line. Crowns were cemented onto 3D-printed dies of the preparation and assigned to six groups (n = 15 per group) according to cement type: Multilink Automix (ReMu), Panavia V5 (RePa), RelyX Unicem 2 (ReUn), RelyX Luting Plus (GiLu), GC FujiCem Evolve (GiEv), and Meron Plus QM (GiMe). The cemented restorations were subjected to artificial aging with 10,000 thermocycles at 5 to 55 °C with a dwell time of 30 s. Specimens were loaded in compression to fracture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate fracture patterns. Fracture load was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test (p = 0.001). Results: Fracture resistance differed significantly among cement types. Crowns cemented with adhesive resin cements exhibited higher fracture resistance than those cemented with resin-modified glass ionomer cements. The highest fracture resistance was observed for ReUn, followed by RePa and ReMu, whereas GiEv and GiLu showed the lowest values. Conclusions: CAD-CAM hybrid crowns fabricated from a resin composite–ceramic material demonstrated higher fracture resistance when cemented with adhesive resin cements than with the novel resin-modified glass ionomer cements tested. Among the six cements, ReUn produced the highest fracture resistance, whereas GiEv produced the lowest. Full article

The increasing generation of municipal waste and the depletion of natural mineral resources have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives for construction materials within the framework of the circular economy. While waste glass, industrial residues, and selected municipal waste fractions have been extensively investigated individually as raw materials for lightweight aggregates, their simultaneous incorporation into a single ceramic matrix remains largely unexplored. To address this research gap, the present study investigates the feasibility of producing lightweight ceramic aggregates through the simultaneous incorporation of three municipal waste streams street sweeping waste (SSW), waste glass, and bulky waste into a clay-based ceramic matrix. Three ceramic mixtures containing different proportions of these waste materials were prepared, pelletized, and fired at 1100 °C. The produced aggregates were characterized in terms of loose bulk density, water absorption, total heavy metal concentrations, and heavy metal leachability, while the bulky waste was additionally characterized by loss on ignition to determine its organic matter content. All produced aggregates satisfied the requirements of PN-EN 13055-1 for lightweight aggregates, with loose bulk densities ranging from 442.9 to 543.1 kg m⁻³, comparable with commercially available expanded clay lightweight aggregates. Water absorption varied between 32.93% and 56.61%, with mixture composition explaining approximately 88% of the observed variance (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Loss-on-ignition analysis revealed that bulky waste contained approximately 98.8 wt.% organic matter, confirming its effectiveness as a pore-forming additive during firing. Environmental assessment of the optimum mixture indicated limited mobility for most investigated heavy metals after thermal treatment; however, chromium leachability slightly exceeded the adopted reference value, indicating the need for further optimization of the ceramic composition. Overall, the developed lightweight aggregate represents a promising alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates and contributes to resource recovery, waste valorization, and the implementation of circular economy principles in the construction sector. Future research should focus on chromium speciation, mechanical performance, long-term durability, life cycle assessment, and pilot-scale production to support future industrial application. Full article

Background/Objectives: To compare the effects of different surface treatments on the color and translucency of three types of zirconia ceramics. Methods: Ninety CAD/CAM-milled zirconia disks (10 mm diameter, 1 mm thickness) were fabricated from Cercon HT (3-YTZP), IPS e.max ZirCAD MT (4-YTZP), and Cercon XT (5-YTZP). Baseline CIE Lab* coordinates were measured using a digital spectrophotometer. The disks underwent one of three surface treatments: 50 µm alumina air-particle abrasion (AAA), Zircos-E etching (ZE), or 100 µm glass bead air-particle abrasion (GBA). Post-treatment CIE Lab* measurements were obtained, and color change (ΔE₀₀, CIEDE2000) and translucency change (ΔTP₀₀) were calculated. Results: Regarding color change (ΔE₀₀), 50 µm AAA produced the greatest change, followed by ZE, while GBA caused the smallest change. Surface treatment and its interaction with material type were found to exert a significant effect, whereas material type alone was not significant. Cercon XT showed the highest numerical ΔE₀₀ value among the materials, although the difference was not statistically significant. All ΔE₀₀ values were below the clinical acceptability threshold (<1.8). No significant effects of surface treatment, material type, or their interaction were observed for translucency change (ΔTP₀₀) after surface treatment. Baseline translucency values (TP₀₀) differed significantly, with Cercon XT being the most translucent, followed by ZirCAD MT and Cercon HT, but these differences did not result in significant ΔTP₀₀ changes post treatment. Conclusions: Surface treatments and their interaction with material type significantly affected zirconia color change, with 50 µm alumina air-particle abrasion producing the most pronounced effect. Material type alone did not significantly influence ΔE₀₀, though Cercon XT showed the highest numerical value. Translucency change (ΔTP₀₀) after treatment was unaffected by surface treatment or material–treatment interaction. Full article

Bilsk hillfort (or gorodishche in Ukrainian) is the largest fortified settlement of the Early Iron Age in Eastern Europe. Long-term excavations made it possible to determine that it was a powerful industrial, political, religious, and trade center of the forest-steppe populations. Thanks to trade relations with the ancient cities of the Northern Black Sea region, wine in amphorae, ceremonial tableware, and glassware came to the settlement. The latter were mainly represented by beads of various shapes and ornaments. In this article, for the first time, 61 unique (or 135, taking similar ones into account) glass beads found during the excavations at the Bilsk hillfort are analyzed. To establish their chronology and the assortment of receipts in the different periods of the settlement’s existence, only beads from burials and various economic complexes with reliable dating were considered. It was established that glass beads reached the Bilsk settlement through Greek-mediated exchange networks from the last quarter of the 7th century BC. Their arrival continued continuously until the end of the 4th century BC, that is, during the entire Scythian period of the fortified settlement’s existence. The beads most likely reached Bilsk through exchange networks linking the settlement with the Greek cities of the Northern Black Sea region. Three overland routes may have been involved: the Olbian, Muravsky and Chersonesan routes. Evidence from Greek ceramics and other Mediterranean or Olbian imports suggests that the Olbian route was probably the dominant channel. Full article

Despite the growing preference for solid-state pH sensors due to their advantages over glass pH electrodes, their practical application is still limited by challenges, particularly in metal-oxide based systems. The main issue is their susceptibility to redox-active species such as dissolved oxygen, ascorbic acid, sulfides, and transition-metal ions. In this work, the effects of representative redox interferents, with particular emphasis on ascorbic acid, together with dissolved oxygen and potassium permanganate, were investigated and mitigated through the application of Ta₂O₅/Nafion overlayers. The solid-state metal-oxide pH-sensitive electrodes were fabricated with laser micro-etching of radio-frequency (RF) sputtered RuO₂ thin films deposited on ceramic Al₂O₃ substrates. The resulting RuO₂ electrodes exhibited excellent potentiometric pH sensing characteristics, including near-Nernstian sensitivity (58.8 mV pH⁻¹ at 25 °C), highly linear response over a wide pH range (pH 2–12, R² > 0.9999), minimal hysteresis (1.3 mV), low potential drift (2.9 mV h⁻¹), and fast response times (<30 s). Following on from our previous work, which demonstrated that the Ta₂O₅/Nafion solid-state sensor could measure beverage pH accurately, here we explain why that architecture works by systematically investigating the role of Ta₂O₅ and Nafion in suppressing redox interference and improving measurement stability in complex sample matrices. The results demonstrate that RuO₂ electrodes modified with combined Ta₂O₅/Nafion thin films exhibit significantly enhanced measurement stability compared to unmodified RuO₂ electrodes, owing to effective suppression of potential fluctuations induced by dissolved oxygen and representative redox couples, particularly those associated with ascorbic acid interference. These findings could give a promising strategy for improving the robustness and reliability of solid-state RuO₂-based pH sensors in complex electrochemical environments. Full article

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of simulated gastric acid exposure on surface roughness, color change, translucency, and mass change in four monolithic CAD/CAM restorative materials with different microstructural compositions. Rectangular specimens (12 × 14 × 1 mm; n = 12/group) were prepared from a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network material (VITA Enamic), a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic (Celtra Duo), a resin nanoceramic (Cerasmart), and a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD). After standardized finishing and polishing, baseline measurements of surface roughness, color coordinates, translucency, and mass were obtained, and the specimens were then individually immersed in simulated gastric acid (0.06 M HCl, pH 1.2) at 37 °C for 96 h, with the solution renewed every 24 h. Post-exposure measurements were performed using the same protocols. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc comparisons, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α = 0.05). Significant changes were observed after acid exposure, and the magnitude of these changes varied among materials. Surface roughness increased significantly in all groups, with the greatest increase detected in Celtra Duo and VITA Enamic. Measured mass also changed significantly in all groups; VITA Enamic showed a slight increase, whereas Celtra Duo, Cerasmart, and IPS e.max CAD showed slight decreases. Although statistically significant differences in color change and translucency were identified among the groups, all color changes remained below the clinically perceptible threshold, indicating limited optical impact under the present model. IPS e.max CAD exhibited the lowest color change, whereas Cerasmart showed the highest ΔE00 values. Within the limitations of this accelerated in vitro model, simulated gastric acid exposure caused material-dependent alterations in surface roughness, limited optical changes, and small measured mass changes in monolithic CAD/CAM restorative materials. Full article

Background: Chairside CAD/CAM technology has reshaped restorative dentistry by enabling single-visit indirect restorations fabricated from glass-ceramics, zirconia, polymer-infiltrated ceramic networks (PICN), and resin nanoceramics. Despite a rapidly growing body of evidence, no recent systematic synthesis has integrated mechanical, adhesive, ageing-related, and clinical outcomes within a unified framework. Methods: This systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020. A structured electronic search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection and MEDLINE via PubMed for studies published between January 2021 and May 2026. The search was complemented by Google Scholar and reference-list screening. Eligible primary studies were selected according to predefined PICOS criteria and synthesised qualitatively because methodological and outcome heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Of the 444 records initially identified, 332 were screened after duplicate removal, and 31 primary studies met all eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Review-level publications were used only for reference-list screening and contextual comparison and did not contribute data to the synthesis. Results: Laboratory studies indicated favourable flexural-strength profiles for lithium disilicate, advanced lithium disilicate, and Y-TZP zirconia, while PICN blocks showed comparatively favourable resistance to thermomechanical ageing. The limited available clinical evidence reported high short-term survival for chairside CAD/CAM restorations, but did not permit definitive comparisons between material classes. Across the predominantly in vitro bonding studies, hydrofluoric-acid etching followed by silanisation produced the most consistent bond-strength results for glass-ceramics, whereas Al₂O₃ air-abrasion combined with an MDP-containing primer showed favourable bond strength to zirconia. Universal adhesives showed promising laboratory performance on hybrid blocks but did not consistently match the performance of dedicated surface-conditioning protocols for glass-ceramics and zirconia. Conclusions: Material selection in chairside dentistry should consider intrinsic material properties, surface-conditioning requirements, and the planned cementation strategy. Standardised laboratory protocols and adequately powered prospective clinical studies with longer follow-up are required before definitive material-specific clinical recommendations can be established, particularly for advanced lithium disilicate and multilayer zirconias. Full article

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of four surface treatments (no treatment, hydrofluoric acid [HF] etching, aluminum oxide [AlO] air abrasion, and tribochemical silica coating [TSC]) and two bonding agents (dedicated silane vs. silane-containing universal adhesive) on the microshear bond strength of four CAD/CAM glass-ceramic materials, including two zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics and two conventional glass-ceramics. Four CAD/CAM materials (Celtra Duo, IPS e.max CAD, IPS Empress CAD, and Vita Suprinity) were subjected to four surface treatments (no treatment, HF, AlO air abrasion, and TSC) and further divided according to bonding agent application: dedicated silane (Clearfil Ceramic Primer Plus) or silane-containing universal adhesive (Single Bond Universal). Microshear bond strength testing was performed after 24 h of water storage (n = 10). Failure modes were classified under stereomicroscopy, and surface topography was evaluated by SEM. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (α = 0.05). All three main factors and their interactions significantly affected bond strength values (p < 0.05; R² = 0.863). HF etching with silane produced the highest values for most materials. However, IPS Empress CAD treated with TSC and silane yielded the highest overall bond strength (25.2 MPa). Dedicated silane consistently outperformed the universal adhesive across all combinations. ZLS ceramics showed intermediate values with distinct etching patterns compared with conventional glass-ceramics. Optimal bonding protocols for CAD/CAM glass-ceramics are material-dependent. Dedicated silane application is recommended over silane-containing universal adhesives for maximum bond strength. Full article