When you think about getting a dental crown or veneer, you probably want two things: it should look like a real tooth and last for years. That’s exactly why E.max dental restorations are such a popular choice among dentists and patients across the U.S.
In this article, we’ll break down what E.max actually is, why it’s special, and how you can get the most out of your E.max dental treatment — whether you’re a dentist ordering from a lab or a patient considering your options.
What Is E.max in Dentistry?
Let’s start with the basics. E.max dental restorations are made from a material called lithium disilicate — a type of glass-ceramic known for being both strong and beautiful. The product comes from Ivoclar Vivadent, a global leader in dental innovation. You can read more about the science behind E.max directly from Ivoclar’s website.
Why is this material such a big deal?
Because it combines two things that don’t always go together: strength and translucency. E.max looks almost identical to natural enamel, especially when used for crowns, veneers, and inlays. And we’re not talking about short-term solutions here — E.max has a flexural strength of up to 500 MPa, which makes it incredibly durable for everyday use.
Dentists use E.max dental restorations for:
- Crowns (single and multi-unit)
- Veneers
- Inlays and onlays
- Implant crowns
- Full smile makeovers in the esthetic zone
Thanks to its light-reflecting qualities, E.max dental is especially great for front teeth — where it really matters how natural your smile looks.
Advantages of E.max Restorations
Let’s be honest — no one wants dental work that looks like dental work. That’s where E.max really shines.
Here are some of the key reasons why both dentists and patients love E.max dental restorations:
- Amazing esthetics – They closely mimic the look of natural teeth, including translucency and light reflection.
- Strength – With up to 500 MPa of strength, they’re tough enough for regular biting and chewing.
- Minimally invasive – Since they can be made very thin, dentists often remove less of your natural tooth.
- Metal-free – E.max is biocompatible and doesn’t contain metal, which is great for people with allergies or sensitivities.
- Long-lasting results – When properly bonded and cared for, max dental crowns and veneers can last 10+ years.
The American Dental Association confirms the importance of using high-strength, biocompatible materials like lithium disilicate in prosthetics for long-term success (source).
E.max vs Zirconia: When to Choose Each
Now, if you’ve been looking into dental restorations, you’ve probably also heard about zirconia. So what’s the difference?
Both E.max dental and zirconia are strong and metal-free, but they serve slightly different purposes:
| Feature | E.max Dental | Zirconia |
| Esthetics | Superior – great translucency | More opaque |
| Strength | ~500 MPa | 900–1200 MPa |
| Best for | Front teeth, esthetic zones | Molars, bridges, high-stress areas |
| Thickness | Can be ultra-thin (veneers, inlays) | Requires more reduction |
In many cases, dentists use hybrid solutions — for example, E.max for the smile zone and zirconia for the molars. If you’re not sure which material is best for your case, ask your dentist to explain the pros and cons based on your bite, habits, and esthetic goals.
Types of E.max Dental Restorations We Offer
Alright, so now that we’ve covered the basics of what E.max is and why it’s so awesome, let’s dive into the specific types of E.max restorations you can get.
At BioDent, we offer a range of E.max options, depending on what you need and where the restoration is going in your mouth. Each restoration is made to match your unique dental situation, so whether you’ve got a scan, impression, or model, everything’s tailored just for you.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of E.max dental restorations we offer:
- max Crowns – These are made to cover and protect a tooth that’s damaged or weakened. You can get them either full-contour (meaning the crown is made from a solid block of E.max) or layered (where a thin layer of porcelain is added over the top for a more natural look). The choice depends on how important the aesthetics are for you — for example, if it’s a back tooth that won’t show much, full-contour might be a great option, but if it’s a front tooth, layering might give it a more natural look.
- max Veneers – If you’ve ever heard of those super thin shells that go over your teeth to make them look perfect, that’s a veneer! E.max veneers are ultra-thin but super strong, and they’re used primarily for the front teeth. They’re great for covering up imperfections like chips, stains, or just giving you a beautiful smile without needing a full crown. The best part? They don’t require much (if any) removal of your natural tooth, so they’re really minimally invasive.
- Inlays/Onlays – These are like a conservative way of fixing a tooth that’s a bit damaged but not to the point where you need a full crown. Inlays fit inside the tooth, and onlays cover more of the tooth. They’re perfect for back teeth that need some love but don’t need to be completely covered. E.max inlays and onlays are strong and durable, so they’ll handle the pressure of chewing, but they also look great because they match the natural tooth color.
- Full-contour Restorations – This means we’re using E.max to create a strong, single block of material that covers your tooth. It’s great for areas where you need something solid and durable, like back teeth, but it’s also easy and simple because there’s no layering involved. This is the go-to option for strength with simplicity.
- Cut-back with Ceramic Layering – For those of you who really want to go all out on aesthetics (like for front teeth where your smile really matters), this option combines the strength of E.max with a ceramic layer on top. The cut-back part refers to shaping the tooth to make space for the extra layer. This gives you that extra level of beauty and natural translucency that’s perfect for a smile makeover.
All of our E.max products are made with authentic Ivoclar lithium disilicate — which means you’re getting top-notch quality, durability, and a look that really resembles natural teeth. Whether you’re going for a full crown or just a small veneer, you can count on E.max to last and look fantastic!
Our E.max Dental Workflow
If you want top-notch results with your E.max restorations, everything needs to flow smoothly from start to finish. And that’s exactly what we’ve got at BioDent. Here’s how we handle E.max restorations step by step:
- Scan or Impression
The first step in the process is getting the shape of the tooth (or teeth) we’ll be working on. You can either send us an STL file from a digital scan (which is super accurate) or a traditional physical impression. If you’re using a digital scanner, this step is quick and easy, but we can work with either option, depending on what works best for you. - Digital Design
Once we have the shape of the tooth, we move on to the design stage. This is where the magic happens! Our team uses cutting-edge CAD software like 3Shape or Exocad to design the restoration. We’ll make sure it fits perfectly with your patient’s natural bite and matches the shape and look they want. The digital design process gives us a lot of precision, so we can ensure the final result is as close to perfect as possible. - Pressing or Milling
Now comes the manufacturing part. Depending on the case, we either press the E.max material into a mold using high pressure (called pressing) or we mill the restoration from a solid block of E.max using a milling machine. Both methods are great, but pressing tends to be used for certain types of restorations, while milling works better for others. Either way, we’re making sure that the material is shaped just right for your patient’s tooth. - Hand Finishing
Here’s where we add the final touches. After the restoration is formed, we carefully glaze and polish it by hand. This gives it that lifelike shine and smoothness that makes it look just like a real tooth. It’s a bit of a delicate process, but it’s totally worth it because it gives the restoration that natural, beautiful finish. - Delivery
Once everything is polished and ready, we carefully package and ship the final product to your practice. It’ll arrive ready to be placed in your patient’s mouth, all set to go. No fuss, no waiting around. Just high-quality work, delivered when you need it.
And that’s how we make sure every E.max restoration is top quality, from start to finish. We’ve got the workflow down so that you (and your patients) get the best results every time!
Why Dentists Choose BioDent for E.max Restorations (continued)
When it comes to choosing a lab, dentists want three things: precision, esthetics, and speed. At BioDent, that’s exactly what we deliver. Every emax dental restoration we create is made using authentic Ivoclar Vivadent material — no substitutes. That means you get natural-looking results with trusted strength and performance.
Our margins are clean and accurate, which helps minimize the risk of chipping or secondary decay. Plus, we check every restoration through a full quality control process — from the CAD design to the final polish. If you’re working in the esthetic zone, our veneers and crowns are made to blend in flawlessly with natural dentition.
And we don’t stop at fabrication. Our team helps with everything from shade selection to design consultation. That’s why many dentists stick with us — we adapt to your workflow and make your job easier.
How to Order E.max Crowns and Veneers
Ordering from BioDent is easy. You can send us a digital scan (STL file) or a traditional impression — we work with all major CAD systems like 3Shape and Exocad. When submitting your case, just specify that you want an emax dental restoration, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Be sure to include details like the tooth number, desired shade (e.g., VITA shade), and any reference photos or bite records. Our team will create a digital mock-up for your review before we move forward with production. Once approved, your emax dental crown, veneer, or onlay is fabricated and shipped in just 1–2 business days.
You’ll receive a carefully packaged restoration that’s ready to try-in, adjust if needed, and seat. And if you need any modifications — no problem, we’re here to support you. Our goal is to make your life easier and your restorations seamless.
