The Effect of Repeated Pressing on the Flexural Strength, Color Stability, Vickers Hardness, and Surface Topography of Heat-Pressed Lithium Disilicate

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repressing leftover heat-pressed lithium disilicate material on its mechanical and optical properties. A lithium disilicate ingot (IPS e.max(®) Press, IvoclarVivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) shade (A1) low translucency was first heat-pressed to yield ceramic bars and disks. Then, the second and third presses were fabricated from the leftovers of the previous pressing cycles. A total of 36 bars and 15 disk specimens were fabricated and divided into three groups according to the number of pressing cycles (n = 12 bars and n = 5 disks): P1: first press (control), P2: second press, and P3: third press. The specimens were tested for flexural strength, color change, Vickers hardness, and surface topography under scanning electron microscopy. One-way ANOVA testing was used to evaluate flexural strength and hardness, while an independent t-test was performed to evaluate color change. There was no significant difference in flexural strength as the number of heat-pressed cycles increased (p = 0.283). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the microhardness values between all groups (p = 0.220). The overall color change ∆E between P1–P2 and P1–P3 were 2.01 and 2.14, respectively. The SEM images showed evenly distributed and densely packed lithium disilicate crystals in the P1 group. However, larger and less densely packed crystals were noticeable in P2 and P3. The IPS e.max Press could be repressed up to two times without an adverse effect on mechanical properties or color stability. These results may support the reuse of pressed lithium disilicate for economical purposes, but further clinical evaluation should be conducted to confirm these findings.