E-max Crowns
E-Max Crowns in Turkey — The Most Natural-Looking Crown Available, From £200
Lithium disilicate ceramic. Indistinguishable from natural enamel. Completed in 5–7 days at up to 70% less than UK prices.
When a front tooth needs a crown — a discoloured root canal tooth, a fractured incisor, a badly chipped canine — the crown has to look completely natural. In a position where every smile, every conversation and every photograph shows it clearly, “good enough” is not acceptable.
E.max (lithium disilicate ceramic) is the material that sets the aesthetic standard for dental crowns worldwide. Its translucency, its depth of shade and its surface behaviour under light are closer to natural tooth enamel than any other restorative material available.
In Turkey, e.max crowns start from £200 — at up to 70% less than UK pricing, with the same Ivoclar Vivadent ceramic, the same precision fabrication and the same internationally trained cosmetic dentists.
What Is an E-Max Crown?
The aesthetic crown — where appearance is the priority
An e.max crown is a full-coverage restoration made entirely from lithium disilicate — a glass-ceramic material manufactured by Ivoclar Vivadent, a Swiss dental materials company whose products are used by cosmetic practices across the UK, Europe and the United States.
Like all crowns, it fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth — from the gum line upward — restoring its shape, size and appearance when damage, discolouration or structural compromise makes a partial solution inadequate.
What distinguishes e.max from other crown materials is how it interacts with light. Lithium disilicate is semi-translucent — light enters the ceramic, reflects within it and exits in a way that closely mimics the behaviour of natural tooth enamel. In a front tooth position, under natural daylight, artificial office lighting or photographic flash, an e.max crown behaves like the surrounding teeth. Most people — including most dentists — cannot identify it as a crown without X-ray confirmation.
E-Max vs. Zirconia — When Does the Difference Matter?
Both e.max and zirconia are premium, metal-free ceramics. The choice between them is clinical — not arbitrary.
| E-Max | Zirconia | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary advantage | Maximum aesthetic result | Maximum strength |
| Light behaviour | Semi-translucent — mimics enamel | More opaque — excellent but less translucent |
| Flexural strength | ~400 MPa | ~900–1,200 MPa |
| Best tooth position | Front teeth — incisors, canines | Posterior teeth — premolars, molars |
| Best for | Aesthetic priority, lighter bite loads | Heavy bite loads, grinding, posterior function |
| Thickness required | Minimal — suits conservative preparation | Standard |
For front teeth — where the crown is visible in every interaction — e.max is the clinical default at our partner clinics. For back teeth under heavy load, zirconia crowns are the more appropriate choice.
When a smile makeover or Hollywood Smile involves both front and back teeth, e.max and zirconia are typically used in combination — each in the position it suits best.
When is an e.max crown needed?
E-max crowns are recommended when:
- A front tooth has been root canal treated and has darkened or become brittle over time
- A front tooth is cracked or fractured beyond what bonding or a veneer can address
- A tooth has a very large filling that leaves insufficient structure for a veneer
- An existing crown needs replacing — particularly if the current crown has a visible metal margin or has discoloured
- A tooth is severely discoloured and the opacity of whitening or veneers is insufficient
- An implant in a front tooth position requires a crown — e.max is the aesthetic choice for implant crowns on visible teeth
Why Get Your E-Max Crowns Done in Turkey?
The same Ivoclar e.max. A fundamentally different price.
The Ivoclar Vivadent e.max ceramic block milled into your crown in Turkey is manufactured in Liechtenstein — the same factory, the same product, the same ISO certification as the e.max used in every premium cosmetic practice in the UK. The milling process is digital. The shade system is identical. The ceramicist’s finishing work follows the same international standards.
The difference in price has a single cause: the operational cost of a dental practice in Turkey is a fraction of the cost in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
The numbers
| 🇬🇧 UK Average | Turkey Price | Saving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| E.max crown (per tooth) | £900 – £1,300 | From £200 | Up to 70% |
| E.max crown on implant (per tooth) | £1,000 – £1,400 | From £240 | Up to 70% |
| Zirconia crown (per tooth — comparison) | £800 – £1,200 | From £150 | Up to 72% |
| Full set — 4 e.max crowns | £3,600 – £5,200 | From £800 | Up to 70% |
| Full set — 6 e.max crowns | £5,400 – £7,800 | From £1200 | Up to 70% |
UK averages sourced from BDA / BACD data, 2025. Prices in Turkey are starting prices — confirmed after free assessment.
What’s included in your package
- ✓ Full clinical assessment and X-rays on arrival
- ✓ Shade mapping under calibrated lighting
- ✓ Tooth preparation under local anaesthesia
- ✓ Digital impressions and laboratory brief
- ✓ Temporary crowns during the laboratory phase
- ✓ Final Ivoclar e.max crowns — precision-fitted and shade-verified
- ✓ Occlusion check and final adjustments
- ✓ 5 nights in a centrally located 4-star hotel
- ✓ VIP airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- ✓ Dedicated patient coordinator throughout
- ✓ Full post-treatment documentation in English
- ✓ Written 3-year guarantee
How Your E-Max Crown Treatment Works — Day by Day
E.max crown treatment in Turkey follows the same sequence as zirconia crowns, completed in 5–7 days in a single visit. The critical difference is in the laboratory phase — e.max fabrication requires the ceramicist to apply additional layering to achieve the translucency gradations that make the crown behave like natural enamel.
Before You Travel — Assessment (Online)
You send a clear photo of the affected tooth — front-facing and in natural light. If you have existing X-rays, include them. For root canal treated teeth, a recent periapical X-ray showing the full root is particularly helpful.
Our cosmetic dentist assesses:
- Whether an e.max crown or an alternative treatment is most appropriate
- Whether any preparatory work is required before crowning (post and core buildup, gum treatment)
- The recommended shade and translucency level for your specific tooth position
- A full, itemised cost breakdown
Free. No commitment. Reply within 24 hours.
Day 1 — Arrival in Turkey
Your driver meets you at the airport. You are transferred directly to your hotel. Your coordinator confirms your clinic schedule for the following morning.
Day 2 — Clinical Assessment and Shade Mapping
Your first appointment is entirely diagnostic — no preparation begins today.
Clinical examination: X-rays of all teeth to be crowned. Assessment of pulp health (confirming whether root canal treatment is needed before crowning). Gum health assessment around each tooth. Bite and occlusion analysis.
Shade mapping: This appointment is particularly important for e.max cases. The shade selection process for a front tooth crown captures not just colour but translucency gradient, surface texture reference and the specific light behaviour of adjacent natural teeth. The dentist photographs the tooth and its neighbours under standardised lighting, producing a reference pack for the ceramicist.
For front teeth, the difference between a shade record that captures these characteristics and one that does not is the difference between a crown that disappears into the smile and one that reads slightly wrong in certain lighting conditions.
Plan confirmation: Every element of your treatment is confirmed — which teeth, which shade, which material, any preparatory work needed — before anything proceeds.
Day 3 — Tooth Preparation and Temporaries
Preparation: Under local anaesthesia, the outer surface of each tooth is reduced uniformly to create the space required for the e.max crown to sit flush with surrounding teeth. E.max requires slightly less reduction than PFM crowns — its strength at minimal thickness is one of the material’s clinical advantages, allowing a more conservative preparation.
For root canal treated teeth requiring a post and core buildup before crowning, this is completed at this appointment before preparation begins.
Digital impressions: High-precision digital impressions of all prepared teeth are taken and transmitted to the dental laboratory alongside the shade reference pack. The laboratory begins fabrication immediately.
Temporary crowns: Quality provisional crowns are cemented to protect the prepared teeth and maintain your bite. For front teeth, temporaries are shaped to approximate the final crown’s proportions — giving you a functional preview of your new smile while the permanent crowns are being made.
Most patients are surprised by how natural their temporary crowns appear in the mirror.
Day 4 — Laboratory Phase
The e.max fabrication process for front tooth aesthetic cases requires 2–3 working days — the ceramicist layers the ceramic by hand in multiple firings to build the translucency gradations and surface detail that distinguish a natural-looking crown from a standard one. This is not a process that can be rushed without compromising the aesthetic result.
This day is yours. Rest, or explore the city. Your coordinator is available throughout.
Day 5 — E.Max Crown Fitting
Your permanent e.max crowns arrive from the laboratory. The fitting appointment is meticulous.
Trial placement: Each crown is placed on the prepared tooth without cement — in natural light, under the clinic’s calibrated lighting, and photographed alongside adjacent teeth. Shade, translucency, surface texture and margin fit are all assessed before bonding.
If any element does not match the agreed specification — shade too light, margin not flush, translucency gradient incorrect — it is returned to the ceramicist for adjustment or remade. You do not accept a crown that does not meet the standard you were shown and approved on Day 2.
Permanent bonding: Once every crown is approved, it is bonded using dental-grade resin cement. Bite alignment is checked and refined chairside. Final polish is applied.
You leave with your permanent e.max crowns in place.
Day 6 — Final Review and Departure
A brief check appointment before you fly. Bite comfort, margin sensitivity and aesthetic satisfaction are all confirmed. Any minor occlusal adjustments are made here if needed.
You receive:
- Full clinical notes and X-rays in English
- Ivoclar e.max brand certificate with shade reference and batch number
- Written 3-year guarantee document
- Aftercare guide — what to expect, what to avoid, and for how long
- Your dentist’s direct contact for any future queries
E-Max Crown Pricing — Transparent and Itemised
Single Crown Pricing
| Crown Type | Price Per Crown | Best Position |
|---|---|---|
| Ivoclar e.max crown | From £200 | Front teeth — incisors, canines, premolars |
| E.max crown on implant | From £240 | Implant in front tooth position |
| High-translucency zirconia (comparison) | From £190 | Premolars — strength + aesthetics balanced |
| Standard zirconia (comparison) | From £150 | Posterior — maximum strength |
Multiple Crown Pricing
| Number of E.Max Crowns | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2 crowns | From £400 |
| 4 crowns | From £800 |
| 6 crowns | From £1200 |
| 8 crowns | From £1600 |
| 10+ crowns | Bespoke — see Hollywood Smile |
All prices include hotel accommodation, airport transfers, coordinator, temporaries during treatment and written guarantee.
Optional Additions
| Addition | Price |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (if required before crowning) | From £120 per tooth |
| Post and core buildup (if required) | From £100 per tooth |
| Gum contouring (if gum line adjustment needed) | From £300 |
| Teeth whitening (to match surrounding natural teeth) | From £220 |
| Night guard (recommended for grinding patients) | From £100 |
E.Max Crown vs. Zirconia — The Price Difference
E.max crowns are typically priced slightly higher than standard zirconia crowns — reflecting the additional ceramicist time required for layered translucency fabrication. For a front tooth where aesthetics matter, this difference is almost always worthwhile.
For posterior teeth under heavy bite load, the aesthetic premium of e.max is less relevant and zirconia’s superior strength makes it the better clinical choice.
Your treatment plan will specify which material is recommended for each tooth — with the reasoning explained clearly.
Ivoclar E.Max — What It Is and Why It Leads
Understanding the material behind your crown matters — particularly for a restoration in a front tooth position that you will see every day and that others will see every time you smile.
What Is Lithium Disilicate?
Lithium disilicate (LS₂) is a glass-ceramic material composed of silicon dioxide and lithium oxide, processed in a controlled crystallisation process that produces a fine-grained, homogeneous ceramic structure. This structure is what gives e.max its unique combination of properties — strength sufficient for most clinical applications and translucency that no other material currently matches in dental use.
Ivoclar Vivadent — the Swiss manufacturer of e.max — has been developing and refining this material since the 1990s. It is now the most widely published and most widely used all-ceramic crown material in the world, with a clinical track record spanning three decades.
Why Translucency Matters in a Crown
Natural tooth enamel is semi-translucent. It does not simply reflect light from its surface — it allows light to penetrate partially, scatter within the tooth structure and exit. This gives natural teeth their depth, their apparent glow and their chameleon-like behaviour under different lighting conditions.
A crown material that reflects light only from its surface — as opaque zirconia or older ceramics do — will always look slightly different from surrounding teeth, regardless of how precisely the shade is matched. Under certain lighting conditions, particularly natural daylight from the side, the difference becomes visible.
Lithium disilicate transmits light in a way that is closer to natural enamel than any alternative. This is not a marginal improvement — it is the reason cosmetic dentists worldwide specify e.max for anterior (front tooth) aesthetic cases.
E.Max IPS Empress — The Fabrication Process
Your e.max crown is fabricated using one of two methods, depending on the complexity of your aesthetic requirements:
Monolithic e.max (pressed or milled): The crown is fabricated from a single block of e.max ceramic — pressed or CAD/CAM milled into shape, then characterised with surface stains and glaze. Excellent aesthetics for most cases. Slightly less translucency variation than layered.
Layered e.max: The ceramicist builds the crown layer by layer — a more opaque internal core overlaid with successive layers of translucent ceramic, fired between each layer. Each layer is thinner than a human hair. The result is a translucency gradient that mimics the internal structure of natural enamel — lighter and more translucent at the incisal (biting) edge, warmer and more opaque at the base near the gum. This is the fabrication method used for front tooth aesthetic cases at our partner clinics.
Layered e.max takes longer and requires more ceramicist skill — which is why it produces a better result and why the fabrication time is 2–3 lab days rather than a single day.
Shade Certificate and Batch Reference
Every e.max crown comes with an Ivoclar Vivadent shade certificate specifying:
- The e.max ingot shade and translucency code
- The batch number (for traceability)
- The fabrication date
This certificate is included in your post-treatment documentation. If your crown ever needs replacing — in Turkey, in the UK, or anywhere else — the replacing laboratory has the exact specification. The replacement matches.
Strength — What E.Max Can and Cannot Do
E.max has a flexural strength of approximately 400 MPa — high enough for front teeth, premolars and most clinical applications where biting forces are moderate. It is not the right choice for:
- Heavy-load posterior teeth (molars under maximum bite force)
- Patients with severe bruxism who cannot or will not wear a night guard
- Full-arch bridges (zirconia is required for the spanning strength of a bridge)
For these applications, zirconia is the correct material. Your treatment plan will specify the right material for each tooth — based on its position, the forces it carries and your individual bite profile.
Real E-Max Crown Results — Real Patients
Front tooth crown results. Every case below was treated at one of our partner clinics. Close-up photography in natural light — because that is the test that matters for aesthetic crowns.
Rachel B., 38 — Nottingham, UK
Treatment: 2 e.max crowns — upper central incisors (root canal treated, severely darkened) Previous situation: Both front teeth had darkened progressively over the years following root canal treatment — whitening had failed to address the intrinsic discolouration Duration: 5 days Material: Ivoclar e.max — layered, shade B1 Saved vs. UK quote: £1,700
“My front teeth had been getting darker for years. My dentist said crowns were the only real solution and quoted £2,400 for two teeth. I paid £400 in Turkey — including the hotel. The shade match to my other teeth is remarkable. My dentist at home examined them on return and asked who had done the ceramics work. She was genuinely impressed.”
James K., 51 — Cardiff, UK
Treatment: 4 e.max crowns — upper front teeth (two cracked incisors + two old discoloured PFM crowns replaced) Previous situation: Two fractured teeth and two existing metal-margin crowns that had developed grey gum lines over time Duration: 5 days Material: Ivoclar e.max — layered Saved vs. UK quote: £3,100
“The difference between the old PFM crowns and the new e.max is dramatic — not just in colour, but in how they look under different light. The old ones always looked slightly ‘white’ in photos but grey in daylight. The e.max crowns look natural in every situation. That’s the translucency difference in practice.”
Sophie L., 33 — Norwich, UK
Treatment: 1 e.max crown on implant — upper lateral incisor Previous situation: Congenitally missing lateral incisor; implant placed separately; now requiring aesthetic crown in high-visibility position Duration: 4 days Material: Ivoclar e.max — layered, shade-matched to adjacent natural teeth Saved vs. UK quote: £800
“The implant was placed in the UK. The crown itself was the challenge — it’s a visible tooth between two natural ones and the shade had to be perfect. In Turkey, the ceramicist’s shade work was extraordinary. The crown is indistinguishable from its neighbours in every lighting condition I’ve tested it in. My orthodontist, who placed the implant, examined it and confirmed it was an excellent result.”
What E-Max Crown Patients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Emma S., Bristol, UK
“Specific and useful: I had two e.max crowns on my upper central incisors — the most visible teeth in my smile. I was nervous about the match. The shade mapping session on Day 2 took nearly 40 minutes — the dentist photographed my teeth from multiple angles under different light sources, measured the translucency at the incisal edges and sent a reference pack to the laboratory. When the crowns arrived on Day 5, the match was as close to perfect as I could have hoped for. Under natural daylight, in office lighting, in photographs — I cannot tell them from my natural teeth. My UK dentist reviewed them at my next appointment and noted the ceramics work as ‘high quality’ in my notes.”
Treatment: 2 e.max crowns (upper central incisors) · September 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Alan G., Newcastle, UK
“I’d had a PFM crown on my upper right incisor for over ten years. The grey line at the gum had been bothering me for two of those years. My UK dentist quoted £950 to replace it with a ceramic crown. I came to Turkey and had the PFM replaced with e.max — along with two other old crowns that needed updating — for less than I’d been quoted for one tooth at home. The difference in how the new crowns look compared to what they replaced is not subtle. It’s significant.”
Treatment: 3 e.max crowns (replacing PFM crowns) · November 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Daniel F., York, UK
“I’m a photographer — I see light professionally. The reason I specified e.max rather than zirconia was the translucency argument. In my work I photograph people in natural light constantly, and I know what teeth look like at different angles and in different conditions. My e.max crowns behave exactly like natural teeth in every lighting situation. That is not easy to achieve and the ceramicist here achieved it.”
Treatment: 4 e.max crowns (upper front teeth) · February 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is e.max better for front teeth than zirconia?
The core reason is translucency. E.max transmits light in a way that mimics natural tooth enamel — light enters the ceramic, scatters within it and exits in a way that makes the crown behave like a natural tooth under different lighting conditions. Standard zirconia reflects more light from the surface and appears more opaque — which is an advantage in posterior teeth where strength is the priority, but a disadvantage in front teeth where the crown sits next to natural, semi-translucent enamel. High-translucency zirconia formulations have narrowed this gap, but e.max remains the aesthetic benchmark for anterior restorations.
Is e.max strong enough for a front tooth?
Yes. E.max has a flexural strength of approximately 400 MPa — sufficient for all front tooth and premolar positions under normal biting forces. It is not recommended for molar positions under heavy load, full-arch bridges, or patients with severe uncontrolled bruxism. For those applications, zirconia is more appropriate. For visible front teeth in patients without severe grinding habits, e.max is both strong enough and the superior aesthetic choice.
What if I grind my teeth?
Grinding (bruxism) subjects front teeth to lateral forces — not just the vertical biting forces that strength ratings address. E.max can be used in patients with mild-to-moderate grinding habits if a night guard is worn consistently. We will assess your grinding history at the Day 2 examination and advise accordingly. If your grinding is severe, high-translucency zirconia — which offers better lateral fracture resistance while maintaining good aesthetics — may be recommended instead.
My existing crown has a dark line at the gum — what causes that, and will e.max have the same problem?
The grey or dark line at the gum margin of an existing crown is typically caused by the metal substructure of a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown becoming visible as the gum recedes slightly over time. E.max is entirely metal-free — there is no metal substructure to become visible. An e.max crown maintains a tooth-coloured margin at the gum line permanently, regardless of any natural gum recession that occurs over time.
How long does an e.max crown last?
E.max crowns in front tooth positions, properly placed and maintained, typically last 10–15 years with proper care. Clinical data supports success rates above 95% at 10 years in anterior applications. Longevity is reduced by severe unprotected grinding, physical trauma to the face and poor oral hygiene leading to recurrent decay at the crown margin. With routine maintenance, e.max is a long-term solution. Our written guarantee covers 3 years.
Can e.max be used on an implant?
Yes — and it is the preferred material for implant crowns in front tooth positions. The crown is designed to attach to the implant abutment rather than a prepared natural tooth, but the material and fabrication process are identical. The shade and translucency are matched to the adjacent natural teeth as part of the Day 2 shade mapping session. An e.max implant crown in a visible position is indistinguishable — in most cases — from the surrounding natural teeth.
What is the difference between monolithic and layered e.max?
Monolithic e.max is fabricated from a single ceramic block — pressed or milled into shape, then surface-characterised. It produces excellent aesthetics for most cases. Layered e.max is built by a ceramicist layer by layer — creating a translucency gradient that more closely mimics natural enamel’s internal structure. For visible front teeth where the aesthetic requirement is highest, layered e.max produces a superior result. Our partner clinics use layered e.max for anterior aesthetic cases as standard.
Can e.max crowns be repaired if they chip?
E.max does not chip under normal use — its homogeneous ceramic structure is more fracture-resistant than traditional porcelain. If a chip does occur (typically as a result of trauma or unprotected severe grinding), small repairs can be made chairside with composite material. For more significant fractures, the crown is remade. Our guarantee covers fractures under normal use within 3 years. Full details at our Guarantee Policy.
A Front Tooth Crown That Disappears Into Your Smile — From £200
When a front tooth needs a crown, the standard it is held to is simple: no one should be able to tell it is there.
E.max, fabricated well by an experienced ceramicist, meets that standard. The free assessment tells you whether e.max is the right material for your specific teeth, whether any preparatory work is needed, and exactly what everything will cost — before you commit to anything.
Send us a photo of the affected tooth in natural light. Our cosmetic dentist reviews your case and comes back within 24 hours with a clear, honest assessment and a full cost breakdown.
No booking required. No payment. No pressure.