What are E.max veneers? Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic
E.max veneers (IPS e.max) are made of glass-ceramic reinforced with lithium disilicate crystals. According to a literature review, high-strength materials such as glass-ceramics are recommended when a thicker veneer is needed, for example to close a large gap or on a tooth tilted toward the tongue, while feldspathic porcelain is weaker and may fracture in these situations (Alghazzawi, J Funct Biomater, 2024).
You will see the name written several ways: E.max, Emax, e-max or E-MAX all refer to the same family of lithium disilicate ceramics. Dr Haim Aseriel's dental clinic in Jerusalem provides cosmetic dentistry and oral rehabilitation, and uses metal-free materials such as E.max and zirconia for ceramic veneers.
Who are E.max veneers for?
E.max dental veneers are for patients who want to improve the look of their teeth, without a crown or an implant, while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
E.max veneers are designed for patients with:
- Partly chipped teeth or teeth with an uneven shape
- A gap between teeth
- Stains that do not respond to whitening (a shade that stays stable over time)
- Worn teeth
- Mildly to moderately crooked teeth
- Mildly protruding teeth
Unlike a crown, whose preparation removes about 63%–72% of the crown's tooth structure, veneer preparation removes only about 3%–30% (Edelhoff & Sorensen, J Prosthet Dent, 2002).
Benefits of E.max veneers: what the research shows
E.max has been widely studied. In a prospective study of 662 lithium disilicate restorations (crowns and partial restorations, not veneers) in patients with severe tooth wear, overall survival was 98.6% over up to 14 years, with an annual failure rate of about 0.1% (Margvelashvili-Malament et al., J Prosthet Dent, 2025).
For E.max veneers themselves, a study that collected data from two commercial dental laboratories on more than 21,000 restorations found fractures in 1.3% of monolithic veneers and 1.53% of layered veneers over 45 months (Sulaiman et al., J Prosthet Dent, 2015).
Translucency and a natural look
Glass-ceramics such as E.max transmit light much like natural enamel, and since they contain no metal they do not create a dark line at the gumline. In a 3-year controlled study, E.max veneers showed better aesthetic results and translucency than translucent zirconia veneers, although the difference was not statistically significant (Fawakhiri et al., Clin Exp Dent Res, 2023).
Aesthetic restorations
These properties also make the material suitable for crowns on front teeth and for cosmetic restorations that need a natural look.
98.6%
- Survival of lithium disilicate restorations (crowns and partial restorations) over up to 14 years
0.1%
- Estimated annual failure rate in the same study
How E.max veneers are bonded: the treatment steps
E.max veneer treatment involves several technically demanding steps, and its success depends largely on the quality of the bonding stage.
According to a literature review, the inner surface of an E.max veneer is etched with hydrofluoric acid for a short time (about 20 seconds), compared with 60–90 seconds for feldspathic porcelain; incorrect etching is associated with debonding (Alghazzawi, J Funct Biomater, 2024).
01
Digital photos and intraoral scan
The first step is digital photography and an intraoral scan with a Shining 3D Aoralscan 3, with no impression paste, followed by a DSD (Digital Smile Design) simulation of the new smile before treatment begins.
02
Minimal preparation
Next, the enamel surface is minimally reshaped; sometimes this can be avoided altogether.
03
Adhesive bonding
The veneer is designed and milled with CAD/CAM technology in the clinic's on-site dental lab, the same day when the case allows it. According to the clinic's lab, making an E.max veneer takes about 35 minutes; this is the fabrication time, not the length of the whole appointment. Once you approve it, it is adhesively bonded.
In laboratory tests, lithium disilicate 0.6 mm thick with adhesive bonding reached a fracture resistance similar to that of 1.5 mm material with conventional cementation (Alghazzawi, J Funct Biomater, 2024), a finding that supports preserving as much tooth structure as possible.
How long do E.max veneers last?
According to a meta-analysis, the estimated survival of glass-ceramic veneers is about 94% at a median follow-up of 9 years, compared with about 87% for feldspathic porcelain; fracture or chipping was the most common complication (Morimoto et al., Int J Prosthodont, 2016).
In a small retrospective study of 28 patients with E.max veneers, half of whom had worn them for more than 5 years, 89.3% showed no significant marginal staining, debonding or cracking (Imad et al., Cureus, 2024).
94%
Estimated survival of glass-ceramic veneers, at a median follow-up of 9 years
Compared with direct composite veneers, ceramic veneers failed far less often over up to 10 years of follow-up (Mazzetti et al., Dent Mater, 2022), and glass-ceramic keeps its color well.
In practice, lifespan also depends on teeth grinding, oral hygiene and how often you come for follow-up. How often you need a check-up depends on your oral health and your individual risk of tooth decay and gum disease. For many patients it is every six months; for others it is more or less often, as advised by the dentist.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
How to care for E.max veneers after treatment
Caring for E.max veneers means protecting them from teeth grinding, flossing every day and using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Patients diagnosed with bruxism are advised to wear a night guard to protect their veneers: in a long-term study of porcelain veneers, teeth grinding was associated with a 7.7 times higher risk of failure (Beier et al., Int J Prosthodont, 2012).
Avoid biting very hard foods with your front teeth and limit repeated exposure to staining agents such as coffee and tobacco. The same advice applies to dental laminates.
Disadvantages and limitations of E.max veneers
Alongside their benefits, E.max veneers have limitations worth knowing before treatment.
- Irreversible preparation: when the enamel needs to be reshaped, even minimally, this cannot be undone. Enamel does not grow back, so the tooth will always need a veneer or another restoration.
- Risk of fracture with teeth grinding: fractures and chipping are the most common complication of glass-ceramic veneers, and teeth grinding increases the risk of failure. Patients who grind their teeth are advised to protect their veneers with a night guard.
- Higher cost than composite: E.max veneers are made of ceramic in a dental lab, so they usually cost more than direct composite veneers, which are built up directly on the tooth.
What else to know about E.max veneers
Take a concrete example: a patient comes in with two cracked front teeth and is unhappy with the overall look of the smile. E.max veneers can be combined with E.max crowns on teeth that need full coverage, for a uniform result across all visible teeth.
E.max veneers are not suitable for every patient: significant enamel loss, severe crowding or a very deep bite may call for an alternative treatment.
In every case, Dr Haim Aseriel carries out a full diagnosis before making a recommendation, including an assessment of the bone, gums and the inside of the tooth.
| Criterion | E.max veneers | Feldspathic porcelain veneers |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrofluoric acid etching | About 20 seconds | 60–90 seconds |
| Main advantage | High mechanical strength | Higher translucency on front teeth in a healthy mouth |
How much do E.max veneers cost?
The price of E.max veneers depends on the number of veneers needed, the condition of the teeth (for example any treatment needed first, such as whitening or gum treatment), the complexity of the restoration and the final material, so there is no single price that applies to everyone (see also how much veneers cost).
After an initial consultation and a full diagnosis, you receive a detailed, personalized written quote covering every stage of treatment, and itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurer if you plan to request reimbursement (coverage depends on your policy).
E.max veneers consultation at the clinic
Many patients who are worried about invasive treatment find that E.max veneers allow a significant cosmetic change while preserving the natural tooth. Whether it is a single veneer or a complete restoration, the clinic's conservative approach puts preserving natural tissue first.
Dr Haim Aseriel and the clinic's dentists offer a personal consultation, in English, to assess whether E.max veneers suit you, with a detailed quote at the end of the visit. The clinic's dental team also provides oral rehabilitation, root canal treatment and gum treatment, so related needs can be handled in one place. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem; see patient reviews and more about Dr Haim Aseriel.
E.max veneers: frequently asked questions
E.max veneers are dental veneers made of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max), a metal-free material that combines strength with a translucency similar to that of a natural tooth. The veneer is bonded to the front surface of the tooth after minimal preparation of the enamel, and sometimes with no preparation at all.
E.max veneers usually last many years. According to a meta-analysis, glass-ceramic veneers have an estimated survival of about 94% at a median follow-up of 9 years, and in a study covering more than 21,000 lithium disilicate restorations, about 1.3% to 1.5% of E.max veneers fractured within 45 months. Teeth grinding, oral hygiene and regular check-ups all affect how long they last.
Caring for E.max veneers means brushing with a soft toothbrush, flossing every day, not biting on hard objects and wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth. How often you need a check-up depends on your oral health and individual risk; for many patients it is every six months.
E.max veneers are not suitable for every patient: significant enamel loss, severe crowding or a very deep bite may call for another treatment, such as a crown or orthodontics. Teeth grinding and active gum disease need to be treated before veneers are placed.
E.max veneers are made of glass-ceramic reinforced with lithium disilicate crystals, so they are better suited when high mechanical strength or a thicker veneer is needed. Feldspathic porcelain may offer higher translucency on front teeth in a healthy mouth. In a systematic review, veneers not made of feldspathic porcelain showed lower failure rates.
Sources
- Morimoto S et al., International Journal of Prosthodontics, 2016 – View the study
- Sulaiman TA, Delgado AJ, Donovan TE, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2015 – View the study
- Margvelashvili-Malament M et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2025 – View the study
- Alghazzawi TF, Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 2024 – View the study
- Imad R et al., Cureus, 2024 – View the study
- Fawakhiri HA et al., Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 2023 – View the study
- Edelhoff D, Sorensen JA, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2002 – View the study
- Mazzetti T et al., Dental Materials, 2022 – View the study
- Beier US et al., International Journal of Prosthodontics, 2012 – View the study
- Alenezi A et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021 – View the study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – View the study
