Clinician fact sheet · November 2026
E.max or zirconia?
Both make excellent crowns. The right choice depends on where the tooth is, how hard the patient bites, and how much the result needs to blend in.
E.max
Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic
- Lifelike translucency that blends with natural teeth
- Can be adhesively bonded, so preps can be more conservative
- Thin enough for veneers, onlays and inlays
- Strong for single crowns (pressed, about 400 MPa)
Best for: front teeth, premolars, veneers and short anterior bridges where looks matter most.
Zirconia
Zirconium oxide ceramic
- The strongest option (about 900 to 1,200 MPa)
- Handles heavy bite forces and bruxism
- Masks dark stumps, posts and metal cores
- Suits longer-span bridges
Best for: molars, grinders, long bridges and cases that need to hide a dark base.
At a glance
| Property | E.max | Zirconia |
|---|---|---|
| Flexural strength | About 400 MPa (pressed) | About 900 to 1,200 MPa |
| Translucency | High, very natural | Moderate; high-translucency grades available |
| Seating | Bonded or conventionally cemented | Conventionally cemented |
| Hiding a dark base | Limited | Good |
| Bruxism | Use with care | Recommended |
| Typical cases | Anterior and premolar crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays, short anterior bridges | Molar crowns, implant crowns, long-span bridges |
Layered or monolithic?
Either material can be made as one solid piece, or as a strong core with porcelain built up by hand on top.
Monolithic
One solid piece, stained and glazed
- Strongest result, with no porcelain layer to chip
- Needs less tooth reduction
- Consistent fit and shade
- Faster turnaround and better value
Best for: back teeth, bruxism and everyday crowns.
Layered
Strong core with hand-layered porcelain
- Most natural depth, colour and translucency
- Fine detail like mamelons and incisal halo
- Ideal for matching a single front tooth
- Needs a little more room for the porcelain
Best for: visible front teeth and high-aesthetic single units.
Not sure which to choose? Write “lab to advise” on the job form, or send us the case details, and we’ll recommend the best option. Call 1300 907 497 or email info@thetoothlab.com.au.
Disclaimer: General information only, not clinical advice. Material choice for each case is the treating practitioner’s decision, based on their expertise and the patient’s needs. Figures are typical values and vary by product. The Tooth Lab accepts no liability for outcomes arising from its use.