An E-max crown is an all-ceramic restoration made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, renowned for its exceptional aesthetics and reliable strength. Unlike older porcelain crowns, E-max crowns are pressed or milled as a single block of ceramic, producing a translucency and depth of colour virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel. With a flexural strength of approximately 400 MPa, they are strong enough for most front and premolar applications and last 10–15 years or more with good oral hygiene. Dentour partner clinics use CAD/CAM technology for precision fabrication, typically completing the crown in one visit.
Your dentist assesses the tooth and surrounding teeth, discusses your aesthetic goals, and selects the ideal ceramic shade using a professional shade guide.
Under local anesthesia, the tooth is reshaped by removing a thin, uniform layer of enamel to accommodate the crown. Minimal tooth reduction is required compared to metal-based crowns.
A 3D digital scan or physical impression is taken. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent restoration is fabricated in the laboratory.
The E-max crown is precision-milled or pressed in the dental laboratory and customised with hand-staining and glaze firing for natural depth and colour.
The finished crown is placed on the prepared tooth to verify fit, bite, and aesthetics. Minor adjustments are made chairside before final bonding.
The crown is bonded with a tooth-coloured resin cement for maximum adhesion and a seamless margin, then polished to a natural sheen.
2
Visits
5
Days stay
No extended healing — crown is final after bonding appointment
Healing
Consultation, shade matching, tooth preparation under local anesthesia, impression or digital scan, temporary crown placement.
The E-max crown is milled, characterised, and glazed in the dental laboratory. Typical turnaround is 3–4 working days.
Try-in for fit, bite, and shade approval, followed by permanent bonding with resin cement.
Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic replicates the layered translucency of natural enamel for results that are essentially undetectable.
No metal components means no dark gum margins over time and no risk of metal allergy or galvanic sensitivity.
E-max crowns require less tooth reduction than porcelain-fused-to-metal alternatives, preserving more of the natural tooth structure.
The dense ceramic surface resists coffee, tea, and red wine staining better than composite or acrylic restorations.
Lithium disilicate has been used in dentistry for over 20 years with consistently high clinical success rates in published long-term studies.
Although strong, E-max crowns can chip or fracture under extreme occlusal loading. They are generally not recommended for second molars in patients with bruxism.
Preparation requires removing a layer of enamel, which is irreversible. The tooth will always require a crown once prepared.
Mild temperature sensitivity is common for 1–2 weeks after the tooth is prepared and while wearing the temporary crown.
Achieving a perfect shade match is highly technique-sensitive. Requesting a try-in appointment before final bonding reduces this risk.
Avoid very hard or sticky foods while the cement fully sets. Do not floss forcefully around the margin on the day of cementation.
Brush twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste and floss around the crown margin daily. Use an interdental brush or water flosser for the gumline.
Avoid biting directly into very hard foods such as ice, bones, or hard sweets, which can chip the ceramic.
If you grind or clench your teeth, wear a custom occlusal splint to protect the crown from excessive loading.
Visit your dentist every 6 months for professional cleaning and crown inspection. Early detection of margin wear extends crown longevity.
Most patients complete an E-max crown in a single trip of 4–5 days: preparation on day one and crown delivery on day 4 or 5 once the laboratory has fabricated the restoration. Same-day CAD/CAM options may be available at select clinics.