The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-
ceramic materials, and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a
dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-
ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable
crucible. Heat is then applied to the
crucible in order to bring the glass-
ceramic material to
working range at temperatures above its
liquidus temperature. The
crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the
working temperature of the glass-ceramic material being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the
working range, the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing. Once the glass-ceramic material is heated to its
working temperature, the crucible is brought into contact with a mold having a preformed cavity therein, the cavity being in the shape of the desired
dental restoration. As the distance between the
heated glass-ceramic material and the mold is decreased, the crucible is deformed to form a seal with the mold, thereby facilitating the injection of the
molten glass-ceramic material into the mold cavity. An interactive seal between the crucible and the mold may be provided for. The
composite process may be carried out in a vacuum. The resulting
dental restoration has superior optical esthetic and strength properties. The invention further includes the heat-pressure deformable crucible. The invention includes dental restorations which are formed from particular
lithium-disilicate glass-ceramics. In addition to forming dental restorations by the process of this invention, the dental restorations may be milled.