Is an Emax Crown the Right Choice for Patients?

By Morey Furman, DDS

Intro to Dental Crowns

In restorative dentistry, a dental crown has long been a standard procedure. By restoring both form and function, they offer a remedy for teeth that have been broken or decayed. Crowns are used in dentistry today to improve appearance, in addition to strength and protection. Patients desire a beautiful smile and are willing to take steps to ensure their appearance is what they desire. Patients who feel their smile is attractive feel more confident about themselves. Emax crowns are becoming more and more well-liked among the many options available due to their exceptional lifelike quality and longevity. By using cutting-edge ceramic materials and the most recent fabrication techniques, these crowns are made to closely resemble natural teeth.

What sets Emax crowns apart from other ceramic crowns or traditional porcelain crowns is examined throughout this blog post. How they stack up against zirconia crowns in terms of durability, cost, material strength, and appearance is also factored in. At Stomadent, we aim to help patients and dental professionals decide whether this restorative option fits with personal needs and lifestyle factors.

What is an Emax Crown?

A contemporary dental restoration composed of lithium disilicate ceramic is called an Emax crown. This substance is highly praised for both its exceptional strength and translucency. Emax crowns, as opposed to conventional porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, provide an all-ceramic solution that avoids the metal substructure, resulting in a restoration with exceptional aesthetics and a tooth-like appearance. Because of this, they are particularly sought-after for restorations in the front of the mouth. Emax crowns are made from a solid block of lithium disilicate, which contributes to their strength and durability.

The way that Emax crowns are made is one of their distinguishing features. Crowns that precisely fit the prepared tooth are created by dentists and dental labs using cutting-edge CAD/CAM technology. Digital impressions are used to create customized dental crowns through CAD/CAM milling, ensuring a precise fit and natural look. By using this incredible technology, chair time and the possibility of human error are decreased while fit accuracy is increased. Emax crowns are at the forefront of restorative dentistry options thanks to a combination of state-of-the-art technology and the properties of lithium disilicate, including its strength, resistance to chipping, and exceptional color matching capabilities. Emax offers a long-lasting and beautiful restoration for dental crowns.

Which is Better: Zirconia Crowns or Emax Crowns? 

Emax crowns are known for their excellent aesthetics and are often used for front teeth restorations. Despite being sturdy, Emax crowns are marginally weaker than their super-strong zirconia equivalents, particularly when subjected to intense bite forces. Both Emax and zirconia materials are known for their ability to withstand significant wear and tear, making them reliable choices for dental restorations.

In terms of strength, zirconia typically performs better when it comes to high-pressure chewing forces, making it a good option for posterior restorations. This is due to its superior durability and resistance to fractures, which ensures long-lasting performance.

Material Differences

Zirconia and Emax crowns are appropriate for various clinical scenarios due to their unique characteristics.

• Emax Crowns: Known for their beautiful, organic translucency and color mimicry, these crowns are crafted from lithium disilicate ceramic, which allows dentists to create restorations that closely resemble the appearance of natural enamel. The advanced fabrication process creates crowns that are both aesthetically pleasing and perfectly shaped to meet the specific needs of dental patients. For patients seeking aesthetic excellence, they are highly sought after due to their ability to closely resemble the appearance of natural teeth.
• Zirconia Crowns: Made of zirconium oxide, these crowns are incredibly strong and resistant to breaking. Because of its exceptional durability, zirconia is a popular choice for high-stress dental regions like the molars. Zirconia’s tendency to be more opaque and hold a less translucent color than Emax may detract from its appeal for anterior (front) restorations.

Strength & Durability

Zirconia crowns may be advantageous for patients who need posterior restorations or who have severe bruxism (teeth grinding) because of their increased durability. Emax crowns are best suited for applications where both functionality and appearance are crucial, but even though they are still strong, they might not be as resilient in cases involving strong bite forces.

Aesthetics

Emax crowns offer a clear advantage in the field of cosmetic dentistry, providing a more natural look due to their inherent translucency. They are the best option for front teeth because their color closely resembles the look of natural tooth enamel. When used in highly visible areas, zirconia’s more opaque nature can occasionally produce a restoration that looks less natural and does not match the surrounding teeth as well.

Best Use Cases

Clinically, Emax crowns work best for single-tooth restorations in areas that are visible, particularly for patients who prioritize appearance. On the other hand, zirconia crowns are frequently suggested for patients who need multi-unit restorations or treatments in the molar region, where strength and resistance to wear are critical requirements, such as posterior crowns. Zirconia is also a preferred material for dental bridges due to its exceptional durability. In order to customize their recommendations to each patient’s specific needs, dentists should consider aesthetic requirements, bite pressure, and location in the mouth when choosing the best option for a new crown.

How Much Does an Emax Crown Cost?

A number of variables, including geographic location, case complexity, and dentist skill, can affect the price of an Emax crown. Emax crowns normally cost between $800 and $2,500 for each tooth. Although this makes them more expensive than conventional porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, which typically cost between $500 and $1,500 per tooth, many patients find that the remarkable durability and beauty of Emax crowns make the investment worthwhile compared to other options.

Emax crowns can occasionally be a more affordable option than zirconia crowns, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth. The complexity of the dental restoration (e.g., a single crown versus a full-mouth restoration), laboratory fees for custom fabrication, and whether the dental office takes insurance or provides financing options are other factors that impact the final cost compared to other materials. Patients should always schedule a thorough consultation with their dentist to go over all available pricing options and any additional expenses related to preparatory work or complementary procedures.

Emax Crowns: How Long Do They Last?

One of the best things about an Emax crown is how long it lasts, thanks to its super-strong composition. These crowns can endure for ten to fifteen years, or even more, with the right maintenance. In addition to the strength of lithium disilicate ceramic, regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene habits also affect how long an Emax crown lasts.

The following are important variables affecting crown longevity:

• Oral hygiene: Using mouthwash, brushing, and flossing every day helps preserve the integrity of the crown as well as preventing tooth decay in other natural teeth.
• Diet and Habits: Patients who stay away from extremely hard foods, like hard candies or ice, tend to keep their crowns structurally sound for longer. Clenching or grinding habits are also a factor for all ceramic crowns.
• Dental Maintenance: By identifying wear or minor problems early on, routine dental exams guarantee prompt treatment before issues worsen.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns may need to be replaced every five to fifteen years, whereas zirconia crowns, under ideal circumstances, can last anywhere from fifteen to twenty years. In the end, even though Emax crowns are long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, careful attention to detail and expert maintenance extend their lifespan.

Do Emax Crowns Crack?

Despite being designed to be strong and resilient to wear, Emax crowns are not impervious to damage. Even these high-quality restorations can crack under specific circumstances, like too much bite force or incorrect cementation.

The following are common causes of crown cracking:

• Excessive Bite Force: Patients who grind their teeth or have bruxism put their crowns under extra strain.
• Improper Cementation: The crown may be more likely to crack if it is not properly bonded to the tooth structure underneath it or if the cement weakens over time.
• Trauma: The ceramic material may fracture as a result of mishaps or any severe impact to the mouth.

To extend the lifespan of an Emax crown and prevent it from just being a temporary crown, active care is crucial. The effects of bruxism can be considerably lessened by donning a protective nightguard. In order to prevent excessive strain on the crowns, patients are also advised to refrain from chewing on very hard materials. Frequent dental checkups guarantee that any early indications of wear or cracking are quickly identified. If an Emax crown cracks, a dentist may be able to fix small chips, but more serious damage may require a full crown replacement. Preserving the restoration and general oral health requires early intervention.

What Dental Patients Are Good Candidates?

Although many dental patients find Emax crowns to be an appealing option, not all cases may be a good fit for this kind of restoration, especially if they have a severely damaged tooth. Patients who want the best possible aesthetic result without sacrificing durability are particularly advised to use them. Excellent candidates are those who require crowns for their premolars or front teeth, where natural appearance and translucency are essential. Furthermore, Emax crowns offer the required strength while blending in perfectly with the patient’s natural dentition for patients who only show mild to moderate bite forces and are not heavy grinders.

However, an Emax crown might not be the best option for patients who have severe bruxism or serious clenching problems. These people might benefit more from zirconia crowns’ increased strength and durability, particularly when they are placed on molars or in full-mouth restorations where there is more chewing pressure. The choice to use Emax crowns should, in general, always be made following a thorough examination by a dentist qualified to determine the patient’s bite dynamics, the restoration’s precise placement, and their general tooth restoration needs.

Emax Crowns: Benefits and Drawbacks

Advantages:

• Aesthetic Excellence: Emax crowns are praised for their incredibly beautiful, lifelike appearance. They protect the natural teeth from further damage and are a great option for front teeth restorations because of their translucency, which resembles natural enamel.
• Biocompatibility: Because Emax crowns don’t contain any metal, they are naturally biocompatible, which lowers the possibility of sensitivity problems or allergic reactions.
• Durability: These crowns offer strong performance and a long lifespan—often lasting 10 to 15 years or more with proper care—despite not always being as highly durable as zirconia.

Cons:

• Cost: Compared to traditional PFM crowns, Emax crowns are typically more expensive, which some patients may find concerning.
• Strength Limitations: Emax crowns may not be as durable as zirconia in high-pressure chewing areas, even though they offer enough strength for many restorations.
• Cracking Potential: Excessive force or incorrect placement may cause chipping or cracking, which could necessitate replacement and additional repair expenses.

When recommending a crown material, dentists must consider the location of the restoration in the mouth as well as the unique needs of each patient.

Final Verdict: Are Emax Crowns Right for You?

In conclusion, Emax crowns are a great restorative choice for patients who value both reliable durability and aesthetics. They provide a natural, enamel-like look that is perfect for the parts of the mouth that are visible while still being strong enough for everyday use. The Emax crown is frequently the preferred option for patients who prioritize cosmetic enhancement and have moderate bite forces.

The appropriateness of an Emax crown, like any dental procedure, is contingent upon the specific situation. Before deciding, it is strongly advised that patients speak with their dentist to evaluate aspects like bite pressure, tooth position, and general oral hygiene practices. An Emax crown can be a long-lasting, aesthetically beautiful restoration that improves both function and appearance with the right care and routine upkeep.

Consider collaborating with Stomadent Dental Lab if you’re a dentist looking to provide your patients with superior Emax crowns. Stomadent offers excellent dental restorations that are customized to your clinical requirements using cutting-edge fabrication techniques and a dedication to quality. Get in touch with us to find out more about our cutting-edge solutions and how Stomadent Dental Lab can improve patient care!