Zirconia vs E.max:
which to prescribe.
Both are metal-free and both look good. The choice comes down to where the tooth is, how much room you have, and how the patient bites.
Short answer
Posterior, heavy bite, limited reduction or a bruxer: monolithic zirconia. Anterior or premolar where translucency matters and you can bond: E.max. For an anterior that needs strength and life, layered zirconia sits in between.
Strength
Zirconia is the stronger material by a wide margin. Typical flexural strength for conventional zirconia is several times that of lithium disilicate, which is why it's the default for molars and bruxers. Higher-translucency zirconias trade some of that strength for looks.
Esthetics
E.max has more natural translucency and is easier to characterize, which is why it's the go-to for veneers and anterior crowns. Modern multilayer zirconia closes much of the gap, and we measure shade digitally for both.
Prep and reduction
Monolithic zirconia tolerates thinner walls, so it's forgiving when you can't take more tooth. E.max generally needs more reduction to reach its strength. If the Rx leaves us short on room, we call before we mill.
Cementation
E.max is etched and bonded, which adds strength and suits thin or less retentive preps. Zirconia can be cemented conventionally when the prep is retentive, or bonded with an MDP-containing resin cement.
Price and turnaround at DentX
Zirconia crown $75, E.max crown $85, layered zirconia or E.max $99. Up to 5 business days in the lab (6 for layered). Full list: price list.
TURNAROUND & PRICES
Published prices.
| Service | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia crown | 5 | $75 |
| E.max crown | 5 | $85 |
| Veneers | 5 | $99 |
| Layered zirconia / E.max | 6 | $99 |
| Inlay / onlay | 5 | $75 |
| PMMA temporary crown | 5 | $45 |
| Diagnostic wax-up | 4 | $25 |
SHIPPING NATIONWIDE
Wherever your
chair is.
Los Angeles County
Free pickup and delivery by our own driver. Call or text before 12 pm and we'll do our best to pick up the same day.
Outside LA County, digital
Send your scan. Finished work ships back for $7 per case.
Outside LA County, impressions
We email you a prepaid label, billed at the carrier's cost. Finished work ships back for $7 per case.
Is zirconia stronger than E.max?
Yes. Conventional monolithic zirconia is considerably stronger than lithium disilicate, which is why it's preferred for molars and bruxers.
Which looks more natural, zirconia or E.max?
E.max has more natural translucency and is the usual choice for anterior esthetics. Layered and multilayer zirconia narrow the gap.
How much do zirconia and E.max crowns cost at DentX?
Zirconia $75, E.max $85, layered zirconia or E.max $99.
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