- Choice of IPS e.max or IPS Empress
- Minimal preparation
- Enamel-like translucency
- Form approval via mock-up
- Thin margins for adhesive bonding
What are E.max and Empress veneers?
A veneer is a thin ceramic shell bonded to the labial surface of a tooth with adhesive cementation. In our dental laboratory, veneers are made from IPS e.max lithium disilicate or leucite-reinforced IPS Empress glass-ceramic. Thanks to their high light transmission, both materials mimic the appearance of natural enamel and can be used with minimal preparation in most cases.
Indications
Veneers are the choice for aesthetic cases in which you want to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible. They are used to correct shade, form and position in the anterior segment and can be planned as part of a comprehensive smile design.
- Diastema closure and shape correction
- Discolouration that does not respond to bleaching
- Worn, fractured or short incisal edges
- Minor malpositions and smile design cases
For severely discoloured teeth, preparation depth and material opacity must be planned together; in such cases layered zirconia restorations may also be considered as an alternative.
Material and manufacturing process
IPS e.max lithium disilicate is a versatile material offering high strength and a wide range of translucency levels. IPS Empress, with its leucite-reinforced structure and natural opalescence, offers aesthetic advantages especially for very thin veneers. The design is created in 3Shape or Exocad; if required, the form is first approved with a mock-up. Depending on the material, the veneer is produced by CAD/CAM or by the press technique, and characterisation and glazing are completed in an Ivoclar Vivadent Programat P300 furnace. Margins are finished to a thin, smooth transition suited to adhesive bonding.
Why Marjinal CAD?
Success with veneers depends on differences in thickness of a fraction of a millimetre. At Marjinal CAD, we evaluate the design together with the preparation data and recommend the material based on the stump shade and the translucency you expect. Because impressions are digitised with highly precise scanners, the fit of thin margins can be verified during design. If needed, we share the design for your approval.
Sending your case
- Intraoral scan: Send your iTero, 3Shape TRIOS or Medit data as STL/PLY files. We recommend including a pre-preparation scan and the opposing arch.
- Conventional impression: Send a precision silicone impression or a stone model; it will be scanned and digitised in our lab.
Photographs with a shade tab, the stump shade and portrait smile photographs improve the result considerably. Contact us on +90 542 329 30 56 or at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between E.max and Empress veneers?
IPS e.max lithium disilicate offers higher strength and a wide choice of translucencies. IPS Empress is a leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic that provides natural opalescence, especially in very thin veneers.
How much tooth reduction is needed for veneers?
In most cases, preparation is minimal and stays within enamel. The required depth depends on the discolouration and the planned change of form.
Can veneers be used on discoloured teeth?
For mild to moderate discolouration, a material with suitable opacity can be selected. For severe discolouration, we recommend also considering layered zirconia.
Can a mock-up be made before the veneers?
Yes. A mock-up can be produced from the digital design to try in form and length intraorally before final production.