Written by Andrew Sedler
The success of any restoration in dentistry relies heavily on the material choice. Materials must be evaluated with three primary attributes: esthetics, durability, and adaptability. IPS e.max, one of the most widely used and successful materials in dentistry, meets each of these attributes. This material is especially successful in the fabrication of ceramic veneers, one of the best modalities in esthetic dental enhancement.
The success of veneer cases relies on a three-pronged approach between the dentist, lab, and patient. An essential element of a successful case is proper treatment planning. This encompasses understanding the correct indications for the chosen modality, proper preparation design of existing dentition, selecting the best ceramics for the given situation, and appropriate cementation techniques.
IPS e.max ( Lithium disilicate) has a flexural strength of 500 MPa, many times more durable than other porcelains. The excellent flexural strength and fracture resistance make this material work well in the anterior or posterior. Appropriately used, e.max has a high probability of lasting a long time, resulting in patient satisfaction. It is the unique strength of e.max that allows for conservative dentistry, natural esthetics, and longevity.
The strength of the material allows for restorations to be fabricated as thin as 0.3mm. Being able to create veneers in such a thin dimension allows for a translucent effect similar to natural enamel, making it easier to achieve excellent color-matching results. Because the material is so versatile and comes in a variety of colors and opacities, it can block out dark underlying colors or be purposely designed to allow favorable underlying colors to show through.
Another factor of the durability of e.max is the ability to adjust with a high-speed handpiece with significantly less risk of fracturing the restoration than when doing the same with other types of porcelains. It is also effortlessly polished chair-side should the need to make corrections occur.
IPS e.max is indicated for monolithic restorations as well as layered. This material has excellent light-optical attributes coupled with an extensive range of ingots, making it ideal for creating natural-looking restorations.
Even for cases, where after preparation, a dark underlying shade is present, or any unfavorable underlying discoloration presents, e.max can provide excellent esthetic results. The way to success with these cases is to communicate to the lab the shade of the prep, and then the appropriate ingot shade and opacity can be selected to mask out any undesirable issues properly and ultimately provide a natural esthetic result.
Burbank Dental Lab has worked with IPS e.max since its emergence in the market. Countless cases have been fabricated with exceptional results. Overall, the advantages of prescribing this material are as follows:
One of the greatest joys of working in the dental industry is the ability to work on cases that will create life-changing results. For many patients, enhancing their appearance can have a significant impact on their life, including affecting self-confidence or perhaps helping to give them an edge when it comes to life goals and creating relationships.
Below is an example of a case that we had the pleasure of being involved in, which was a life-changing event for the patient.
This patient presented with misaligned dentition, worn down in some areas. (figure 1, shown above) Diastemas were present as well as a gummy smile. The first step, in this case, was to thoroughly understand the concerns and desires of the patient. Treatment planning then began with the patient’s wishes incorporated with the steps for case planning. Before any preparation was done, a diagnostic wax-up was completed to work out the patient’s desired outcome with any functional issues that might have been present.
In this case, it was determined that the patient would need crown lengthening and ten veneers on 4-13. IPS e.max, lithium disilicate was determined to be the ideal material choice. Since these veneers are suitable for closing diastemas, correcting alignment issues, and providing natural-looking results, this was the ideal material choice to address these issues. The preparation design was important to provide the foundation for reaching the desired outcome.
This case was completed through the Burbank Dental Lab Smiles by Design team. (figure 2, shown above) The Smiles By Design system provides a step-by-step approach to achieving exceptional, predictable results. It helps to support the process from concept to delivery, ensuring patient satisfaction.
The steps leading to results like this case are as follows:
Material choice plays a vital role in the success of dental restorations. Understanding what materials will work best based on desired outcomes, current dental situations, and restoration type will affect the outcome, longevity, and overall patient satisfaction.
To create a smooth experience for the patient, it is imperative to plan and make choices to ensure case success. Understanding the unique benefits of a material like IPS e.max, coupled with proper planning, creates clinical success that makes patients advocate for any dental practice. The case described in this article is just one of the many successful and life-changing cases that we are honored and privileged to be involved with.
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