Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic Network
Also written as: PICN — Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic Network
A dual-network dental CAD/CAM block material consisting of an interconnected ceramic scaffold interpenetrated by a cross-linked polymer phase, combining ceramic aesthetics with resin-like machinability.
Full Definition
Polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) materials are fabricated by infiltrating a porous, pre-sintered feldspar ceramic matrix with a cross-linked dimethacrylate resin under vacuum and heat. The resulting interpenetrating network structure confers properties intermediate between monolithic ceramics and composite resins: lower brittleness than glass-ceramic, superior enamel wear compatibility compared with high-strength ceramics, and better machinability than dense zirconia. Editors will encounter PICN under several trade names (e.g., Vita Enamic) and should be alert to loose usage of 'hybrid ceramic', which is sometimes applied to PICN but also to ceromer and resin-ceramic materials with quite different structures. The abbreviation PICN is established in the literature and should be expanded on first use.
Usage
Usage note: Expand 'PICN' on first use. Flag 'hybrid ceramic' as potentially ambiguous—query authors to confirm the material category before accepting this synonym.
In Context
- "Polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) blocks demonstrated significantly lower crack propagation rates than monolithic feldspathic ceramic under cyclic loading." — Dental materials comparative study
- "The term 'hybrid ceramic' was used inconsistently; the editor standardised all instances to 'polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN)' after confirming the material identity with the authors." — Editorial revision note