The blocks are produced by massive casting (transparent glass ingots, Fig. 2). A continuous
manufacturing process based on glass technology (pressure casting procedure) is utilized in
the manufacture of the blocks. This new technology uses optimized processing parameters,
which prevent the formation of defects (pores, accumulation of pigments, etc) in the bulk of
the ingot. Partial crystallization ensures that the blocks can be processed in a crystalline
intermediate phase, which enables fast machining with CAD/CAM systems (blue, translucent
state; Fig. 3). The partial crystallization process leads to a formation of lithium metasilicate
crystals Li2SiO3, which are responsible for t