Veneer, a thin covering placed over the teeth to give a more shaped and beautiful look is a top choice for dentists and patients alike when it comes to correcting imperfections in natural teeth.
This is because veneers offer a more structured look than most restorative treatments.
Veneers transform the teeth, providing a camera-ready smile with little or no discomfort to be borne.
There are a few options to consider when it comes to selecting an ideal veneer, including Zirconia veneers and Emax veneers. But what makes them unique? Which of the veneers is more suitable?
Read on to discover all these answers and more…
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Veneers
Most Zirconia veneers are either made of Yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide or CAD/CAM-milled monolithic zirconia; the latter is the latest composition to hit the market.
The material used is the same one used for dental implants and joint replacement.
Zirconia is a tough and sturdy material that’s suitable for dental restoration and is not bulky like most traditional porcelain.
The material is resistant to wear, making it difficult to crack or fracture, and has more flexural resistance than other options.
[spacer size=”30″]
Emax Veneers
Emax veneers are formulated from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. While Emax veneer is a very thin tooth restoration material, the veneer radiates beauty and provides great strength, and reduces the rate of tooth reduction.
Emax has more reflective and translucent properties making it look like enamel. It also blends in with adjacent teeth, thus producing a seamless appearance.
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax Veneers: Aesthetics
Veneers cover up imperfect, crocked, and undesirable teeth, giving a beautiful, improved outer appearance. It is therefore important that the material chosen should look like natural, unaltered teeth.
Fortunately, Zirconia and Emax are perfect in this regard.
However, Emax offers a more natural, translucent quality, allowing the tooth structure beneath to shine forth.
This feature is ideal when the objective of the veneer is to alter the shape of the teeth.
Carefully selected Emax veneers also reflect off the surrounding natural teeth, providing a more aligned smile line that will not be detected by anyone.
If the reason for the veneer is to mask a dark or stained tooth structure, then Zirconia is a better aesthetic option.
This is because Zirconia is a bit thicker than Emax and provides wider opacity which can conceal tooth discoloration.
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax: Material
Both veneers are created to precise specifications from their materials using CAD/CAM technology.
This reduces errors and allows for precise fit during delivery. Resin ionomer cement then gives the natural tooth structure excellent retention.
Both materials are strong and more durable than most porcelain veneers.
They both have high flexural strength, a metric that measures the level of force it takes a sample of defined diameter and thickness to crack or fracture.
The greater the flexural strength, the more resistant the material is to fracture.
For example, porcelain has a flexural strength of 150 megapascals, lithium is more superior at 360 to 400 Mpa and Zirconia is the most superior of the three having a flexural strength of 900 to 1100 Mpa.
In addition to its material properties, Zirconia has a tooth reduction of 0.8 to 1.5mm for more material stability.
Emax on its part contains ceramic glass which allows for a more conservative tooth preparation method.
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax: Uses
The smile design technique is all about creating the best aesthetic result for patients.
Most veneers are designed to alter the appearance of the six upper anterior teeth as these are the teeth that have the greatest impact on a person’s appearance.
Emax is known for its aesthetic properties, giving the teeth a lifelike restoration. The veneer produces a superior result which in turn makes the patient happy with their new smiles.
Besides, it’s possible to infuse a stronger material (such as Zirconia) with Emax. This produces stronger material while hiding the underlying dark areas in the teeth.
However, no one material offers all the right qualities with no drawbacks. Zirconia veneer is a great option for patients who have parafunctional behavior like bruxism or ice chewing.
And although most artificial materials are impervious to destruction, Zirconia is an exception; the veneer is almost indestructible.
Also, Zirconia is a great choice for cases involving concealing dentin and dark spots which will otherwise show through Emax and other veneer materials.
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax: Price
Both Zirconia and Emax veneers have a similar price range and are quite comparable.
The average price for getting a veneer can cost anywhere between $800 to $2500 per tooth. The price depends on the complexity of the issue, the location of the hospital, whether or not there would be more modifications to the process to avoid slight crowding, and the charges of the hospital.
A veneer is more of a cosmetic procedure, thus it’s usually treated as an out-of-pocket expenditure for most patients.
Most insurance companies will not cover any part of the cost. So, if you are going for a veneer, be ready to pay from your pocket.
Regarding laboratory charges to the dentist, Zirconia and Emax veneer have an average cost for CAD/CAM-manufactured veneer of between $10 to $250 per unity.[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax: Features[spacer size=”30″]
| ZIRCONIA VENEERS | EMAX VENEERS | |
| Manufacturer | 3M Ivoclar Vivadent: ZirCAD Diadem DiaZir Dentaply-Cercon Noble Biocare-Procera |
Ivoclar Vivadent |
| Materials | Yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide | Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramic |
| Flexural Strength (based on ISO 6872) | 900 to 1100 MPA | 360 to 400 MPA |
[spacer size=”30″]
Zirconia Vs Emax: Strengths[spacer size=”30″]
| ZIRCONIA VENEERS PROS | EMAX VENEERS PROS |
| Composes of 100% biocompatible material | Has a lifelike appearance |
| Sturdy but not bulky | Seamlessly blends with adjacent teeth |
| Great fracture resistance | Strong and resistant to fracture |
| Ideal for bruxism patients | 0.3 to 0.5mm reduction retains tooth structure |
| Lasts for more than 20 years (depending on the patient’s oral hygiene and dental care practices) | Lasts for an average of 15 to 20 years (depending on the patient’s oral hygiene and dental care practices) |
| Conceals intrinsic stains and dark areas | Can merge with stringer materials like Zirconia for extra strength |
[spacer size=”30″]
FAQ ON VENEERS
What are dental veneers?
These are thin shells composed of tooth-colored materials implanted on the surface of a tooth to give an enhanced and structured teeth appearance.
Are veneers necessary?
While dental veneers are not necessary and are considered a cosmetic procedure, it’s still a great solution for people with chipped, discolored, worn down, spaced, misaligned, irregular shaped, or uneven shaped front teeth.
How long do veneers last?
Generally, a veneer lasts for between 5 to 10 years. If properly cared for, veneers can last much longer.
How do I take care of my veneers?
Veneers do not require special oral hygiene habits asides from the usual ones which include regular flossing and brushing and periodic visit to the dentist.
Professional cleaning twice a year and annual examinations are also recommended.
Does my insurance cover a veneer procedure?
This depends on the dental insurance. While some insurance companies cover half of the fee if it’s approved, some do not.
Typically, veneer placement is a cosmetic procedure not covered by many insurance companies.
[spacer size=”30″]
CONCLUSION
Veneers are great if you are looking to improve your appearance. If you are looking for an ideal veneer, then look between Zirconia and Emax.
Both veneers are sturdy and resistant to fracture and crack, they are aesthetic and do a good job of improving the structure of the teeth, and are both affordable.;
Having shared all the similarities, benefits, and other features of both veneers, all you have to do is make a choice, go for it and begin to smile with confidence.
- Can Your Mouth Reject a Dental Implant? - September 19, 2022
- What Happens to Dental Veneers After 10 Years? - September 18, 2022
- How to Prevent Dry Mouth While Sleeping? - September 18, 2022
