The effect of SiO2/LiO2 ratio on the mechanical and biological properties of lithium metasilicate glass ceramic

Initial lithium silicate glass frits with different SiO2/Li2O ratio were prepared by the melting method. In this study, the obtained glass frits were hot-pressed at different temperatures of 550, 650 and 750°C; however, only samples sintered at 750°C were sintered and densified. The properties of the obtained lithium metasilicate glass ceramics (LMSGC) were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, microstructural observation, wettability and cytotoxicity. The rise of SiO2/Li2O ratio resulted in the enhancement of wettability and hardness and less cell viability. The properties of LMSGC could be tailored by changing the SiO2/Li2O ratio. So, the SiO2/Li2O ratio is an important parameter in LMSGC fabrication for dental applications.