 Which material would you recommend for this crown?
It is a question dentists regularly ask us at Bremadent. For suitable cases in the aesthetic zone, often described as the first premolar to first premolar, or 4 to 4, our recommendation frequently starts with IPS e.max lithium disilicate. The reason is its ability to transmit light and help us create restorations with natural depth and character. However, choosing e.max is only part of the decision. The preparation underneath, the available ceramic thickness and the patient’s function all need consideration. One of the main difficulties we encounter is receiving the desired crown shade without a stump shade. We know what the finished tooth should look like, but we do not know the colour of the foundation beneath it. This guide explains our approach and the information dentists can provide to help us achieve a more predictable aesthetic result.
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 A zirconia crown that repeatedly comes off is frustrating for the patient, disruptive for the practice and difficult to explain when the restoration itself looks perfectly intact. The obvious response is to reach for a different cement. Sometimes that helps, but repeated debonding deserves a closer investigation.
A crown can lose retention because of the preparation, internal fit, surface contamination, cementation technique, occlusal loading or failure of the underlying tooth or core. Several factors may be involved at once. For dentists and the wider dental team, the useful question is therefore: what failed, and what needs to change before the crown goes back? At Bremadent Dental Laboratory, we believe these problems are best approached through clear communication between the practice and laboratory. A stronger material does not automatically mean a more retentive restoration, and another cementation appointment should have a clear clinical reason behind it.  A patient asks whether they should have zirconia or E.max. It sounds like a simple choice, but the honest answer depends on the tooth, the preparation, the underlying colour and how the patient uses their teeth.
We receive calls from dentists who want to check which material will give them the right result. That conversation is useful. A crown can look excellent on a model yet disappoint in the mouth if the stump shade was not recorded, or perform poorly if the patient’s bite was overlooked. This guide explains the difference in language the whole dental team can use. It also sets out the practical starting point we often discuss with practices: E.max across the front teeth, layered zirconia where appearance and strength both matter, and full-contour zirconia further back. It is a starting point for planning, with each tooth assessed on its own merits. Understanding Smile Makeovers & Diagnostic Wax Ups: Why Planning Beats Guesswork Every Time7/11/2026  A beautiful smile rarely happens by accident.
Behind every successful smile makeover is a considerable amount of planning, communication and attention to detail. While patients often focus on the finished veneers, crowns or implant restorations, experienced clinicians understand that the real success of a cosmetic case is determined long before the final restorations are fitted. One of the most valuable tools available during that planning stage is the diagnostic wax up. At Bremadent Dental Laboratory, we believe the diagnostic wax up is one of the most underappreciated stages in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. It transforms ideas into something tangible, allows dentists and patients to visualise the proposed result, reduces uncertainty and creates a clear roadmap for treatment. Unfortunately, we also see cases where this stage is overlooked. Sometimes it is because everyone is eager to get started. Sometimes it is to save time or cost. However, when treating complex cosmetic cases involving multiple teeth, skipping the planning stage can often create avoidable challenges later. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Dentistry is certainly no exception.  If there is one question we are asked regularly by dentists and practice teams across the UK, it is this:
"Should I prescribe full contour zirconia or layered zirconia?" It's a great question because both materials have transformed modern restorative dentistry and both can deliver excellent clinical outcomes when used in the right situation. The challenge is that many clinicians know zirconia is strong, aesthetic, and popular, but understanding the practical differences between full contour and layered zirconia can help ensure the right restoration is selected for the right patient. At Bremadent Dental Laboratory, we manufacture thousands of zirconia restorations and work closely with dentists to determine which option will provide the best balance of aesthetics, strength, longevity, and patient satisfaction. The short answer is that layered zirconia generally offers superior aesthetics, while full contour zirconia offers superior durability. However, like most things in dentistry, the real answer is slightly more nuanced. |
Private Dental Laboratory in London
 Kash Qureshi - Managing Director, Clinical Dental Technician
About the author:
Kash Qureshi is a Clinical Dental Technician (Denturist) in the U.K who oversees and quality controls over 3000+ fixed and removable prosthesis including implant cases from a clinical and technical aspect monthly at Bremadent Dental Laboratory & Swissedent Denture Clinic in London. www.swissedent.co.uk www.bremadent.co.uk [email protected] Categories
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