What Is the Difference Between E.max and Zirconia?
E.max is the brand name of a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. Its strength is its appearance: it is translucent, so light enters the crown and is reflected much as it is in a natural tooth. It is bonded to the tooth with an adhesive technique.
Zirconia is zirconium dioxide, a white ceramic with no glass content in its classic form. It is the stronger of the two by a wide margin, which makes it suitable for back teeth and bridges. Classic zirconia is more opaque. Newer, more translucent types look more natural but give up some of that strength.
Both are metal-free, so there is no grey line at the gum as with older porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Both are made digitally from a scan of your teeth and can be matched to the shade of the neighbouring teeth.
Material
E.max: lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. Zirconia: zirconium dioxide ceramic.
Appearance
E.max: highly translucent, very close to enamel. Zirconia: more opaque in its classic form, more natural in newer translucent types.
Strength
E.max: strong enough for single crowns, especially at the front. Zirconia: considerably stronger, suited to back teeth and bridges.
Hiding a dark tooth
E.max: a dark tooth can show through. Zirconia: masks discolouration and metal posts better.
Where Each Material Fits Best
These are the usual patterns. Your dentist may advise differently for your teeth.
E.max for visible front teeth
Where a lifelike, translucent result matters most and bite forces are moderate, E.max is often the first choice.
Zirconia for back teeth and bridges
Molars take the highest forces, and a bridge spans a gap. Both situations call for the stronger material.
Zirconia for discoloured teeth
A root-treated tooth that has darkened, or a tooth with a metal post, is better covered by a more opaque ceramic.
Teeth grinding
With strong grinding, zirconia is usually preferred, and a night guard is advised to protect any restoration.
Matching neighbouring crowns
If you already have crowns nearby, using the same material makes the shade easier to match.
E.max for long bridges at the back
Glass-ceramic is not strong enough to span several missing back teeth.
Either material on an untreated tooth
Decay, gum inflammation or an infected root has to be treated before any crown is made.
Limits and Risks of Both Materials
A crown of either material can last many years. These are the things that can go wrong.
Fracture or chipping
E.max can fracture under heavy load. Zirconia with a layered porcelain surface can chip, while one-piece zirconia is very resistant.
Tooth preparation is permanent
For any crown the tooth is reduced, and this cannot be undone. A crowned tooth will always need a crown.
Sensitivity or nerve problems
A prepared tooth can be sensitive for a while. Occasionally the nerve does not recover and root canal treatment is needed.
Decay at the crown edge
A crown does not decay, but the tooth at its margin can. Daily cleaning at the gum line matters.
How the Material Is Chosen for Each Tooth
The decision is made tooth by tooth after your examination.
- 1
Examination and bite check
Your dentist looks at each tooth, your bite and any signs of grinding, and takes X-rays where needed.
- 2
Shade and smile assessment
The colour of your teeth, the colour of the tooth to be covered and how much shows when you smile are recorded.
- 3
Material for each position
Front teeth with a healthy colour often receive E.max. Back teeth, bridges and dark teeth usually receive zirconia.
- 4
Try-in before fitting
The crowns are tried in so shape, shade and bite can be checked before they are fixed permanently.
Related Options to Discuss
A crown is not the only way to restore or improve a tooth.
Laminate veneers
A thin ceramic shell on the front of the tooth, with far less tooth removed than for a crown.
Composite bonding
Tooth-coloured filling material shaped directly on the tooth, usually with little or no preparation.
Whitening
If colour is the only concern and the teeth are healthy, whitening may be enough.
How Papatya Dental Clinic Makes Crowns
Ask which material is planned for each tooth and why.
In-house laboratory
Crowns are made in the clinic's own CAD/CAM laboratory, so shade and shape can be adjusted during your visit.
Digital planning
Crowns are designed digitally from a scan or impression of your teeth.
Try-in before the final fitting
You see the crowns in place and can comment on shape and shade before they are fixed.
After Your Crowns Are Fitted
No surgery is involved, and most people return to normal eating within a day or two.
- 1
The first days
Mild sensitivity to hot and cold is common and usually settles.
- 2
The first weeks
Tell your dentist if a crown feels high when you bite, so it can be adjusted.
- 3
Long term
Crowns are checked at your regular visits together with the gums around them.
Clean at the gum line every day
Brush twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes, paying attention to the edge of each crown.
Protect your crowns
Do not use your teeth to open things, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Pain or sensitivity that gets worse
Contact the clinic if a crowned tooth becomes more painful instead of settling.
A loose, chipped or high crown
Do not chew on it and get in touch so it can be checked.
What Shapes Your Treatment Plan
Your plan is confirmed after an examination. These factors influence it most.
Number of teeth
A single crown, several crowns and a full smile makeover are planned differently.
Position of each tooth
Front and back teeth may be planned in different materials within the same plan.
Condition of the teeth
Fillings, root canal treatment or gum treatment needed beforehand add steps.
Crowns or veneers
Where enough healthy enamel remains, a thinner veneer may be possible in place of a full crown.
Before / After
Frequently Asked Questions About E.max and Zirconia Crowns
Is E.max better than zirconia?
Not in general. E.max usually looks more natural on front teeth. Zirconia is stronger and suits back teeth, bridges and dark teeth.
Which looks more natural?
E.max is more translucent, so it is often chosen for the front. Modern translucent zirconia has narrowed the gap and can also look very natural.
Which lasts longer?
Both can last many years. Durability depends on the position of the tooth, your bite, grinding and how well you clean.
Can I have both materials in one mouth?
Yes. Many plans use E.max at the front and zirconia at the back. The shades are matched so the difference is not visible.
Is more tooth removed for one of them?
The amounts are similar. In some situations zirconia can be made thinner, and veneers need much less preparation than either type of crown.
Are these crowns metal-free?
Yes. Both E.max and zirconia are all-ceramic, so there is no metal edge at the gum.