IPS e.Max Material Properties & Lithium Disilicate Strength
Table of Contents
What is Lithium Disilicate?
Lithium disilicate is a special tooth material. It is strong and looks like real teeth. Dentists use it to fix teeth.
IPS e.Max is a popular brand of lithium disilicate. It helps make pretty smiles!
Dentists pick e.Max when they want:
- Strong teeth fixes
- Pretty teeth fixes
- Metal-free teeth fixes
e.Max works with CAD/CAM tools that help make new teeth fast.
Why is e.Max so Good?
e.Max is special because it has:
- Nice look – like real teeth!
- Strong stuff – doesn’t break easy!
- Works well – fits in your mouth!
Let’s see what makes e.Max so strong!
The Building Blocks of e.Max
e.Max is made of tiny crystal bits in a glass base. These crystals look like tiny needles. They are very small – just 3-6 µm long!
The needle crystals lock together like a puzzle. This makes e.Max very strong!
e.Max also has special color stuff that helps make it match your teeth.
How Strong is e.Max?
Let’s look at some facts about e.Max strength:
| What We Measure | How Strong e.Max Is | Why This Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Flexural Strength | 360-400 MPa | Helps e.Max not bend and break |
| Fracture Toughness | 2.75-3.3 MPa·m¹/² | Stops cracks from growing |
| How Long It Lasts | 95% last 10 years | Your teeth fixes will stay good |
| Bite Force It Can Take | Over 1,200 N | Can handle strong chewing |
| Light It Lets Through | 45-50% | Looks more like real teeth |
This makes e.Max much stronger than old tooth fix materials. It’s not as strong as zirconia (which has 1,200 MPa strength) but it looks more like real teeth.
The Crystal Network
The special strength of e.Max comes from its crystal design.
Think of e.Max like a stick house. But the sticks (crystals) all lock together in different ways. If something tries to break it, the crack gets stuck and can’t grow!
This is why e.Max is so good for:
- Front teeth fixes
- Back teeth fixes
- Inlay Emax dental work
How e.Max is Made
The way e.Max is made helps make it strong:
- Mix special stuff to make the glass base
- Heat it up to grow the tiny crystals
- Cool it down in a special way
- Shape it with CAD/CAM tools
- Color it to match real teeth
- Heat it again to make it super strong
This makes e.Max with no weak spots that could break.
e.Max vs. Other Dental Materials
How does e.Max compare to other tooth fix stuff?
e.Max vs. Zirconia
Zirconia is stronger (1,200 MPa vs. 400 MPa) but doesn’t look as much like real teeth.
e.Max lets more light through (45-50% vs. 25-30%), so it looks more real.
e.Max vs. Old Porcelain
Old porcelain breaks easier than e.Max.
e.Max is 3 times stronger!
e.Max vs. Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are very strong but don’t look like real teeth.
e.Max looks real and is strong enough for most teeth.
When to Use e.Max
Dentists should use e.Max for:
- Single crowns – great for one tooth!
- Veneers – thin covers for front teeth
- Inlays/onlays – fixes for part of a tooth
- Emax crowns for front teeth
- Emax veneers
e.Max works best for:
- Front teeth (looks very real!)
- Single tooth fixes
- People who want pretty smiles
When NOT to Use e.Max
Dentists should be careful with e.Max for:
- Long bridges with many teeth
- People who grind teeth very hard (might need night guard)
- Places where you can’t see the teeth (might use stronger zirconia)
Bonding e.Max to Teeth
To make e.Max stick to teeth well:
- Use special acid (hydrofluoric acid) on the e.Max
- Put silane on it
- Use special glue to stick it to the tooth
This makes the e.Max stay in place for a long time!
New Things Coming for e.Max
Exciting new e.Max things are coming:
- Multi-layer e.Max with different colors like real teeth
- Computer-designed e.Max that is even stronger
- Bio-friendly e.Max that helps keep teeth healthy
Questions People Ask
Is e.Max better than metal crowns?
Yes! e.Max looks more like real teeth and doesn’t cause metal allergies. It’s strong enough for most teeth.
Can I get e.Max if I grind my teeth?
Yes, but you should wear a night guard to protect your e.Max teeth at night.
How long will my e.Max crown last?
Most e.Max crowns last 10-15 years with good care. Some can last even longer!
Does e.Max look real?
Yes! e.Max is one of the most natural-looking materials. It lets light through like real teeth.
Why Dentists and Patients Love e.Max
Dentists love e.Max because:
- It’s strong enough for most teeth
- It looks great for smiles
- It works with their CAD/CAM tools
Patients love e.Max because:
- It looks like real teeth
- It feels like real teeth
- It lasts a long time
- It has no metal
Taking Care of Your e.Max Teeth
To make your e.Max teeth last longer:
- Brush your teeth two times a day
- Floss every day
- Don’t bite hard things (like ice or candy)
- See your dentist for check-ups
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
Summary
IPS e.Max is a special dental material made of lithium disilicate. It is very strong (360-400 MPa) and looks like real teeth. It works great for single crowns and veneers.
The special needle-like crystals in e.Max make it strong and hard to break. It’s not as strong as zirconia but looks more natural.
Dentists and patients love e.Max because it makes pretty smiles that last a long time!
