Phase transformation and microstructure of dental porcelain bodies under a moving laser densification condition have been investigated using a host of analytical instruments including scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and quantitative image analysis. The results obtained are compared with those under furnace-sintering conditions. Based on the temperature dependence of the leucite content established from the furnace sintering experiments, the temperature distribution of the dental porcelain body during laser densification has been estimated. The microstructure of the laser densified porcelain body as a function of the location with respect to the center of the moving laser beam is explained based on the temperature distribution during laser densification and the temperature dependence of the phase transformation, vaporization of volatile elements, and microstructural evolution. The understanding developed has been utilized to optimize laser densification conditions for obtaining the desired microstructure of dental porcelain bodies.