Blog
Emax vs zirconia crowns: which material is right for you?
Emax crowns offer superior aesthetics for front teeth. Zirconia crowns offer superior strength for molars and grinders. Full material comparison with UK and Vietnam prices.
Emax (lithium disilicate ceramic) is the preferred material for front teeth and premolars where natural appearance matters most. It is translucent, closely mimics enamel, and is pressed in a laboratory to a very precise fit. Zirconia is harder and more resistant to fracture under heavy bite load, making it the stronger choice for molars and patients who grind. Both are excellent materials. The right choice depends on where the tooth sits in the mouth and how hard you bite.
If you have been told you need a crown and your dentist has mentioned Emax or zirconia, you are choosing between two excellent materials that serve different purposes. Neither is universally superior. The right material depends on the tooth’s position and what it has to withstand each day.
Emax: what it is and when dentists use it
Emax stands for IPS e.max, a lithium disilicate ceramic made by Ivoclar. It is a pressed ceramic, meaning each crown is manufactured by pressing heated ceramic blocks under high pressure in a dental laboratory. This process creates a precise fit and a material that is slightly translucent, close to how natural tooth enamel transmits light.
Emax is the preferred choice for front teeth (incisors and canines) and premolars. In those positions, aesthetics are important. Patients and observers can see the tooth directly, and a crown that looks slightly grey, opaque, or artificial will be noticeable.
Key Emax properties:
- Flexural strength: approximately 400 MPa
- Translucency: high, closely mimics natural enamel
- Minimum thickness needed: 0.5 to 1mm
- Best positions: upper and lower front teeth, premolars
- Warranty at Picasso: 7 years
The pressed manufacturing process also means Emax crowns typically have a very accurate marginal fit, which supports long-term gum health around the crown edge.
Zirconia: what it is and when dentists use it
Zirconia is a ceramic oxide material, much harder than Emax. Standard zirconia has a flexural strength of 900 to 1,200 MPa. That makes it the material of choice for molars, where bite forces are highest, and for patients who grind their teeth.
Early zirconia had a reputation for looking slightly white and opaque compared to natural teeth. That was a legitimate concern for visible positions. Modern formulations, including high-translucency zirconia, have significantly improved aesthetic performance.
Key zirconia properties:
- Flexural strength: 900 to 1,200 MPa (standard), 600 to 800 MPa (high-translucency)
- Translucency: lower than Emax in standard formulations; improved in high-translucency versions
- Best positions: molars and premolars, especially under heavy load
- Warranty at Picasso: 5 years
At Picasso, the standard zirconia crown costs GBP 203 as of May 2026.
CERCON HT: the middle option
CERCON HT is a high-translucency zirconia system from Dentsply Sirona. It sits between standard zirconia and Emax in the aesthetic versus strength trade-off.
CERCON HT retains more of the strength advantage of zirconia over Emax while closing the aesthetic gap. This makes it a practical choice in two situations:
- A premolar that is visible when you smile and also bears significant bite load
- A patient who grinds and needs a crown on a tooth that is partly visible
At Picasso, CERCON HT costs GBP 232 with a 5 to 7-year warranty. It is worth discussing with Dr. Emily Nguyen if your treatment involves teeth in the premolar region where both concerns apply.
Lava and Lava Plus: the premium option
Lava and Lava Plus crowns use a zirconia framework with a layered ceramic outer surface. The layered ceramic gives them the best aesthetic result of any zirconia-based crown. The zirconia core provides the strength.
These crowns are best suited to the upper front teeth where appearance is critical and the patient still has heavy bite demands. They carry the longest warranty at Picasso.
| Crown type | Picasso price (May 2026) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | GBP 203 | 5 years |
| CERCON HT | GBP 232 | 5 to 7 years |
| Emax | GBP 261 | 7 years |
| Lava | GBP 319 | 10 years |
| Lava Plus | GBP 348 | 10 years |
Full material comparison
| Emax | Zirconia | CERCON HT | Lava Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Lithium disilicate | Zirconia oxide | High-translucency zirconia | Zirconia + layered ceramic |
| Strength (flexural MPa) | ~400 | 900 to 1,200 | 600 to 800 | ~800 core |
| Aesthetics | Excellent | Good (standard), Very good (HT) | Very good | Excellent |
| Min. thickness | 0.5 to 1mm | 0.3 to 0.5mm | 0.3 to 0.5mm | 1mm |
| Best for | Front teeth, premolars | Molars, grinders | Premolars, visible + load | High-demand anterior |
| Picasso price | GBP 261 | GBP 203 | GBP 232 | GBP 348 |
| Warranty at Picasso | 7 years | 5 years | 5 to 7 years | 10 years |
| UK private range | GBP 600 to GBP 1,000 | GBP 550 to GBP 900 | GBP 600 to GBP 900 | GBP 800 to GBP 1,200 |
How your dentist chooses
At Picasso, the material decision is based on four factors:
Tooth position. Front teeth (incisors, canines) almost always call for Emax or Lava Plus. Molars almost always call for zirconia or CERCON HT.
Bite force. A heavy biter or someone with a clenching habit places much more load on crowns. Zirconia’s higher strength makes it safer in those cases.
Existing tooth structure. Emax needs at least 0.5mm of clearance. A heavily ground-down tooth may not leave enough space for Emax without excessive further reduction.
Opposing tooth. Emax is harder than natural teeth. In some bite configurations, a very hard material on one arch can accelerate wear of the opposing teeth. The dentist considers what is on the other side of the bite.
Dr. Emily Nguyen confirms material selection during the initial assessment. She will not recommend Emax on a molar if your bite history suggests a fracture risk.
What these materials cost in the UK
UK private crown pricing does not always specify the material clearly. Ask explicitly. A Zirconia or Emax crown at a private UK clinic typically costs GBP 500 to GBP 900. Premium materials (Lava, high-translucency zirconia) can reach GBP 1,000 to GBP 1,200 at specialist practices.
The Picasso equivalent, including a 7 to 10-year warranty, is GBP 203 to GBP 348. For patients who need four or more crowns, the saving at current UK private rates is substantial even after adding flights and accommodation.
When to stay in the UK
Stay with a UK dentist if your crown needs to be coordinated with root canal treatment where healing needs to be monitored between appointments. The gap between root canal treatment and final crown placement is typically a few weeks. If you cannot time a Vietnam trip around that gap, a UK dentist who can fit the crown once the root canal is confirmed healed is the practical choice.
For crowns on teeth that are already stable and prepared for restoration, travel to Vietnam for crown placement is straightforward.
For a free itemised GBP quote specifying material and warranty for each tooth in your treatment plan, contact Picasso Dental Clinic.