Smile & Holiday

//COMPARISON

E-max vs Zirconia Crowns Comparison

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The right material for your perfect smile — E-max or zirconia?

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What is the difference between E-max and zirconia?

E-max (lithium disilicate) and zirconia are the two most popular crown materials in modern dentistry. E-max offers superior translucency, making it the closest match to natural teeth — especially for front teeth. Zirconia excels in strength, making it ideal for back teeth under heavy biting forces. At Smile & Holiday in Fethiye, Turkey, we offer both materials at a fraction of European prices and help you choose the best option for each tooth.

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Recommended

E-max (Lithium Disilicate)

Zirconia

Material Type

Glass ceramic (lithium disilicate)

Crystal ceramic (zirconium oxide)

Translucency

Excellent — closest to natural teeth

Moderate — more opaque appearance

Strength (MPa)

400–500 MPa

900–1,200 MPa

Best For

Front teeth and smile line

Back teeth and bridges

Tooth Preparation

Minimal shaving required

Slightly more reduction needed

Lifespan

10–15 years

15–20+ years

Cost in Turkey (per tooth)

€180 – €280

€150 – €250

Cost in UK (per tooth)

£600 – £900

£500 – £800

Aesthetic Grade

10/10 — most natural look

8/10 — great but more opaque

Biocompatibility

Excellent, no allergy risk

Excellent, metal-free

Chip Resistance

Very good, rarely chips

Outstanding, virtually unbreakable

Ideal Location

Front 6 teeth (smile zone)

Back teeth (molars & premolars)

Recommended

E-max (Lithium Disilicate)

Material TypeGlass ceramic (lithium disilicate)

TranslucencyExcellent — closest to natural teeth

Strength (MPa)400–500 MPa

Best ForFront teeth and smile line

Tooth PreparationMinimal shaving required

Lifespan10–15 years

Cost in Turkey (per tooth)€180 – €280

Cost in UK (per tooth)£600 – £900

Aesthetic Grade10/10 — most natural look

BiocompatibilityExcellent, no allergy risk

Chip ResistanceVery good, rarely chips

Ideal LocationFront 6 teeth (smile zone)

Zirconia

Material TypeCrystal ceramic (zirconium oxide)

TranslucencyModerate — more opaque appearance

Strength (MPa)900–1,200 MPa

Best ForBack teeth and bridges

Tooth PreparationSlightly more reduction needed

Lifespan15–20+ years

Cost in Turkey (per tooth)€150 – €250

Cost in UK (per tooth)£500 – £800

Aesthetic Grade8/10 — great but more opaque

BiocompatibilityExcellent, metal-free

Chip ResistanceOutstanding, virtually unbreakable

Ideal LocationBack teeth (molars & premolars)

10/10

E-max natural appearance score

15+ years

Average crown lifespan

70%

Savings compared to UK prices

900+ MPa

Zirconia strength rating

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for a clinical assessment.

E-max is the clear choice for front teeth. Its superior translucency closely mimics natural tooth structure, creating a seamless, lifelike appearance. Zirconia is more opaque and may look slightly artificial in the front smile zone.

Zirconia has a flexural strength exceeding 900 MPa, making it one of the strongest dental materials available. Breaking under normal use is extremely rare. However, if you grind or clench your teeth, a night guard is recommended.

Yes, many patients opt for E-max on their front teeth and zirconia on their back teeth for the best of both worlds. This combination delivers top aesthetics and maximum durability. At our Fethiye clinic, we routinely offer this combined approach.

At Smile & Holiday, we use genuine IPS E-max CAD blocks and certified zirconia discs — the exact same materials used in top European clinics. Our lab produces crowns with CAD/CAM technology for micron-level precision.

At our Fethiye clinic, E-max and zirconia crowns are typically completed within 5–7 working days. Teeth are prepared and temporary crowns fitted at the first appointment. Your permanent crowns are placed at the second visit.