The Different Types of All Ceramic Restorations and When to Use Them

Dentistry has come a long way since the days of porcelain fused to metal being the default option for crowns and bridges. While PFM still has its place, the demand for metal free dentistry has exploded. Patients want restorations that look natural, feel comfortable, and last the test of time. Enter the world of all ceramic materials.

At Bremadent, we see thousands of cases every month and one of the most common questions we get from dentists is this: “When should I use zirconia, and when is Emax the better option?” The short answer is that it depends on the case, the patient’s occlusion, the aesthetic demand, and sometimes even the size of the wallet. Let’s take a closer look at the two heavyweights of the all ceramic world and the clinical indications that come with them.

Emax (Lithium Disilicate) – The Beauty Queen of Ceramics
If Emax were a person, it would be that friend who always looks perfect in every photo, regardless of the lighting. Lithium disilicate is well known for its outstanding aesthetics. It has excellent translucency, making it ideal for anterior cases where shade matching and natural appearance are paramount.

Strength wise, Emax clocks in at around 400 MPa. That is more than enough for most anterior crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays. However, when you start venturing into high load posterior work, you may want to consider whether the material can take the pressure of a patient who grinds like a coffee machine.

Emax is pressable or milled, giving flexibility in fabrication. At Bremadent, we love it for anterior crowns, smile makeovers, and any case where patients are hyper focused on aesthetics. It blends seamlessly with natural dentition when the shade is handled well, and with correct bonding it provides a long lasting solution.

Zirconia – The Powerlifter with Style
Zirconia is the material that hits the gym every morning and still manages to wear a suit to work. In other words, it combines strength with an increasingly good look. Early zirconia restorations were strong but often looked a bit too opaque, like a crown trying too hard at fancy dress. Fortunately, modern high translucent zirconias have changed that perception.

With flexural strength ranging from 600 MPa up to 1200 MPa depending on the type, zirconia is the clear choice when strength is the number one requirement. Full arch implant cases, posterior crowns, and bridges are all areas where zirconia thrives.

Zirconia can be layered with porcelain to improve aesthetics or used in its monolithic form to minimise chipping. In our lab we often see dentists choose zirconia when longevity and durability are critical, especially for posterior regions.

Practical Tips for Clinical Application:

1. Case selection matters
   Not every patient is a candidate for every ceramic. A bruxist with flattened molars might not thank you for an Emax second molar crown. Equally, a highly aesthetic anterior case might look better in Emax than in monolithic zirconia.
2. Bonding versus cementing
   Emax is best bonded to maximise strength and aesthetics. Zirconia is more forgiving and can be conventionally cemented, which can save chair time and reduce technique sensitivity.
3. Shade and translucency selection
   With modern high translucent zirconias, the aesthetic gap is closing. However, if a patient is particularly shade conscious, you may still want to lean towards Emax for that extra sparkle.
4. Patient communication
   Explaining why one option is better than the other helps manage expectations. Patients like to know they are getting the right material for the right tooth rather than a “one size fits all” approach.

What About Other All Ceramic Options?
Although Emax and zirconia dominate the landscape, it is worth mentioning that there are other ceramics available. Feldspathic porcelain veneers are still used in niche smile design cases where ultra thin layers are required. Hybrid ceramics and resin ceramics are emerging for CAD CAM chairside applications. However, for predictability and consistency in everyday practice, Emax and zirconia remain the main players.

Why Work With Bremadent for Your All Ceramic Cases?
As a full service dental laboratory with decades of experience, we understand that the success of your restorations depends on precision, communication, and material selection. Our technicians do not just follow the prescription, we support you with case planning, preparation design advice, and material guidance. Whether you are restoring a single anterior crown or planning a full arch implant case, we can help you choose the right ceramic and deliver results that both you and your patients will be proud of.

We also pride ourselves on being approachable. If you ever want to have a jargon free conversation about ceramics, we are here. We believe that good communication between dentist and lab is the secret ingredient that turns a good case into a great case.

Final Thoughts
All ceramic restorations have changed the way dentistry is practised. With materials like Emax and zirconia, dentists now have the ability to provide metal free restorations that combine strength and beauty in ways that were not possible twenty years ago. The key is understanding the clinical indications and choosing wisely.

At Bremadent, we like to think of ourselves as your partner in delivering those smiles. Whether it is helping you decide between zirconia or Emax, advising on prep design, or making sure the shade is just right, we are here to support you.
So, the next time you are wondering whether to go with the beauty queen or the powerlifter, remember that both have their place, and your friendly lab team at Bremadent will help you make the right call. Contact us today!