IPS e.max is an innovative all-ceramic system which enables you to accomplish virtually all indications for all-ceramic restorations, ranging from thin veneers to 12-unit bridges. IPS e.max comprises highly esthetic, high-strength materials for both the press and CAD/CAM technology. The system includes innovative lithium disilicate glass-ceramic materials, which are particularly suited for single restorations, and high-stability zirconium oxide materials for long-span bridges. Each patient case comes with its own requirements and treatment goals. IPS e.max meets these requirements, because its product range provides you exactly with the material that you need: – A choice of two materials is available for the press technique: the highly esthetic lithium disilicate glass-ceramic IPS e.max Press and IPS e.max ZirPress, a fluorapatite glass ceramic ingot for the rapid and efficient press-on technique on zirconium oxide frameworks. – For CAD/CAM applications, you can choose between the innovative IPS e.max CAD lithium disilicate block and the high-strength IPS e.max ZirCAD zirconium oxide, depending on the requirements of the specific patient case. – The IPS e.max range of materials is completed by the IPS e.max Ceram nano-fluorapatite layering ceramic, which can be used to characterize/veneer all IPS e.max components, irrespective of whether they are made of glass- or oxide ceramic.
1.2 IPS e.max CAD 1.2.1 Overview IPS e.max CAD is available in three different degrees of translucency: MO, LT and HT. IPS e.max CAD MO is a tooth-colored, esthetic framework material, which is veneered with IPS e.max Ceram. The IPS e.max CAD LT blocks demonstrate a low translucency. They are available in various A to D and Bleach shades. This glass-ceramic allows the fabrication of fully anatomical restorations due to its low translucency and large variety of shades. For highly esthetic results, the restorations can be partially reduced in the labial area and subsequently veneered using IPS e.max Ceram. The IPS e.max CAD HT blocks are an ideal ceramic for inlays and onlays due to its very high translucency. These ingots exhibit what is known as the chameleon effect, which means that the ceramic reflects the shade of the surrounding dentition. 1.2.2 Material / Manufacture IPS e.max CAD is a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LS2) (Fig. 1) that has been designed for the CAD/CAM technique. The blocks are cast in one piece (transparent glass ingots, Fig. 2). A continuous production process based on glass technology (pressure-casting procedure) is utilized in the manufacture of the blocks. This new technology, which largely differs from the sintering process employed in the production of Empress/Empress 2 ingots, uses optimized processing parameters, which prevent the formation of defects (pores, accumulation of pigments, etc.) in the body of the block. Partial crystallization ensures that the blocks can be easily processed in an intermediate crystalline phase, enabling rapid machining with CAD/CAM systems (blue state, Fig. 3). The partial crystallization process leads to the formation of lithium metasilicate crystals, Li2SiO3, which are responsible for the material’s favourable processing properties, comparatively high strength and high edge stability. Following the milling procedure, the restorations are tempered and reach the final state. In the course of this process, lithium disilicate

The hybrid material presented here represents a milestone in the development of CAD/CAM materials. This newly developed hybrid material combines the positive characteristics of proven all-ceramic materials with those of the composite materials used with CAD/CAM technology. The hybrid ceramic is comprised of a structure-sintered ceramic matrix and a reinforcing polymer network, which are fully integrated with one another. The inorganic ceramic content is 86 wt%, while the organic polymer content is 14 wt%. The combination of both of these materials provides considerable benefits for the user. For example, the tendency to brittle fracture is lower than in comparison with pure ceramics, and excellent CAD/CAM processing is also achieved. VITA ENAMIC can be used for definitive single-tooth restorations. The restorations are fabricated using CAD/CAM technology.

VITA ENAMIC – material composition

The hybrid material is manufactured by first infiltrating a porous ceramic base structure with a monomer mixture and then curing (polymerization) is carried out. The composition of the ceramic corresponds to that of a fine-structure feldspar ceramic enriched with aluminum oxide