The development of metal-bonding porcelains in the early 1960s freed dentists from the discipline of using full or partial gold-veneered crowns as the retainers for fixed partial dentures. Porcelain crowns could be reinforced with metal and were designed to conform to the tooth anatomy; the fracture of marginal ridges in posterior teeth became a rare event. Full-mouth rehabilitation in dental porcelain could be accomplished to the highest esthetic standard and was further improved with the manufacture of opalescent porcelains. The translucency now achievable in enamel porcelains had its beginning in the 1950s with the production of gap-graded fine porcelain powders that could be fired in vacuo. For ceramists working at that time, it was a revolution in esthetics. High-alumina ceramics and aluminous porcelains were developed in the 1960s. In ensuing years, they were improved to such an extent that these materials now can replace metal in the anterior teeth. The last 2 decades have allowed us to build on this original work; improvements in color systems and ceramic building techniques and a greater appreciation of tooth anatomy have transformed the esthetics of porcelain restorations. The introduction of porcelain veneers and bonded inlays, together with improvements in resin bonding agents, have enabled practitioners to adopt a much more conservative approach to tooth restoration. It is no exaggeration to state that the last century saw a revolution in dental esthetics. In the 21st century, the challenge of producing high-strength ceramics without sacrificing translucency may be solved, but the metal-ceramic restoration is likely to be with us for a long time.
