Dental Ceramic Materials Compared: Zirconia vs Lithium Disilicate (e.max) vs Feldspathic
Zirconia is the strongest dental ceramic (800–1,300 MPa) and the choice for long-span bridges and load-bearing posterior teeth. Lithium disilicate (IPS e.max, GC LiSi, Shofu Vintage LD) sits at 400–530 MPa but offers better translucency and adhesive bonding, making it the balanced choice for single anterior units. Feldspathic porcelain has the lowest strength and the highest esthetics, reserved for ultra-thin and non-prep veneers. This page compares the material lines fabricated at Khai Nguyen Dental Lab using the criteria dentists need when prescribing.
Quick comparison table
Flexural strength values are taken from manufacturer datasheets (3M, Ivoclar Vivadent, Dentsply Sirona, GC, Shofu) as listed on each product page; minimum thicknesses are general guidance and should be checked against each material’s instructions for use.
| Material | Class | Flexural strength | Translucency | Minimum thickness | Main indications | Avoid for | In-lab time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD Bio Zirconia, DMax Natura | 3Y-TZP zirconia | 1,300 MPa | Low to medium | 0.5–0.8 mm | Posterior crowns and bridges, long-span bridges, implant prostheses, bruxers | Veneers, high-translucency anterior cases | 1.5–3 working days |
| Cercon Zirconia, IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime | Multilayer zirconia (3Y dentin, 5Y incisal) | 1,200 MPa | Medium with natural shade gradient | 0.6–0.8 mm | Single crowns and 3–4 unit bridges, anterior and posterior, esthetic monolithic work | Very long spans in the 5Y incisal zone | 1.5–3 working days |
| 3M Lava Esthetic | 5Y fluorescent zirconia | 800 MPa | Highest among zirconias | 0.8–1.0 mm | Monolithic anterior and premolar crowns, short bridges | Long posterior bridges, very thin walls | 1.5–3 working days |
| IPS e.max CAD | CAD/CAM lithium disilicate | 530 MPa (97.2% survival in an independent clinical report) | High | Crowns 1.0–1.5 mm; veneers 0.4–0.5 mm | Single anterior and posterior crowns, inlays/onlays, veneers, implant crowns | Multi-unit posterior bridges | 2–3 working days |
| IPS e.max Press | Pressed lithium disilicate | 470 MPa | High, several opacities (HT, MT, LT, MO) | Crowns 1.0–1.5 mm; veneers 0.3–0.5 mm | Veneers, anterior crowns, inlays/onlays, 3-unit bridges up to the premolar | Molar bridges | 2–3 working days |
| GC Initial LiSi Press | Pressed lithium disilicate (HDM) | 508 MPa | High, low wear on opposing enamel | Crowns 1.0–1.5 mm; veneers 0.3–0.5 mm | Anterior crowns, veneers, inlays/onlays | Molar bridges | 2–3 working days |
| Shofu Vintage LD Prime | Pressed lithium disilicate | 400 MPa | High, suited to layering and staining | Crowns 1.0–1.5 mm; veneers 0.3–0.5 mm | Anterior and premolar units, implant restorations in the esthetic zone | Molar bridges | 2–3 working days |
| Celtra Duo | Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) | 370 MPa | High | Crowns 1.0–1.5 mm | Single crowns, inlays/onlays, veneers | Bridges | 2–3 working days |
| Feldspathic porcelain | Hand-layered porcelain | Lowest (below 200 MPa) | Highest, most lifelike optics | Veneers 0.2–0.5 mm, no-prep possible | Ultra-thin and non-prep veneers, minor shade correction, anterior esthetic cases | Posterior teeth, bruxers, heavily broken-down teeth | 3–5 working days |
Three things to know about flexural strength
First, MPa values are measured on standardized specimens, not on teeth. A 470 MPa e.max crown adhesively bonded to a well-retained preparation can outlast a 1,300 MPa zirconia crown conventionally cemented on a short abutment. In the glass-ceramic group, bonding protocol matters more than the material number.
Second, within zirconia, translucency and strength move in opposite directions. 3Y-TZP (DD Bio, DMax Natura) reaches 1,300 MPa but is opaque; 5Y zirconia (3M Lava Esthetic) is far more translucent at 800 MPa. Multilayer discs (Cercon, e.max ZirCAD Prime) combine both, with 3Y in the dentin zone and 5Y at the incisal edge, which is why they are the safe default when you do not want to trade one property for the other.
Third, high strength means wear on the opposing enamel if the surface is not polished properly. Monolithic zirconia must be re-polished after any occlusal adjustment; lithium disilicate and feldspathic porcelain are kinder to opposing teeth.
Recommendations by case type
Single anterior unit (crown or veneer)
Prefer lithium disilicate (IPS e.max Press or GC LiSi Press) when mild masking and natural translucency are needed; feldspathic when the natural tooth is sound and an ultra-thin veneer is planned; multilayer zirconia when the abutment is severely discoloured or carries a metal post. Our recommendation: send photos of the preparation and adjacent teeth with the case so we can advise the opacity level (HT/MT/LT).
Posterior crowns and bridges
Single molar crowns: multilayer zirconia or e.max CAD; bridges of three or more units in the molar region: 3Y or multilayer zirconia. Do not use lithium disilicate for molar bridges or feldspathic for posterior teeth. Our recommendation: for bruxers choose monolithic 3Y zirconia with a polished rather than glazed occlusal surface. See inlays, onlays and overlays for tooth-preserving options.
Implant restorations
Single implant crowns: multilayer zirconia or e.max on a titanium base; bridges and full-arch: 3Y zirconia on Ti-base or bar. Our recommendation: state the implant system and scan body with the case. See implant crowns and bridges.
No-prep or minimal-prep veneers
Feldspathic is the only option that reaches 0.2–0.3 mm while keeping lifelike optics; e.max Press can be pressed to 0.3 mm when more masking is needed. Our recommendation: include shade-tab photos and a full-face smile photo so the ceramist can design the morphology.
Bruxism or heavy occlusion
Monolithic 3Y zirconia posteriorly, multilayer zirconia anteriorly; avoid feldspathic and consider an occlusal splint after delivery.
Quick picker
- Maximum strength, long spans, posterior: 3Y zirconia (DD Bio, DMax Natura).
- Balanced strength and esthetics, full-arch monolithic: multilayer zirconia (Cercon, e.max ZirCAD Prime) or 3M Lava Esthetic in the esthetic zone.
- Anterior single units, inlays/onlays, standard veneers: lithium disilicate (e.max, GC LiSi, Vintage LD).
- Ultra-thin and non-prep veneers: feldspathic.
Not sure which material fits your case? Send the scan or photos through our ordering process or WhatsApp +84 902 945 585; our technicians will propose a material before production starts. Every restoration is covered by our warranty of 6 months to 15 years depending on material. Read more about outsourcing to our Vietnam dental laboratory.
Frequently asked questions about material choice
Does zirconia wear the opposing teeth?
Properly polished zirconia wears opposing enamel less than conventional layered porcelain. Problems arise when the occlusal surface is adjusted chairside and not re-polished. For bruxers we recommend a polished rather than glazed occlusal surface.
IPS e.max Press or IPS e.max CAD?
Both are Ivoclar lithium disilicate. Press (470 MPa) is pressed from ingots and suits thin veneers and crowns that need several opacity levels; CAD (530 MPa) is milled from blocks and suits inlays/onlays and crowns with standard morphology, with a shorter lab time. For cut-back and layered anterior work we usually use Press.
What is the difference between multilayer and standard zirconia?
Multilayer discs (Cercon, IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime) have a high-strength 3Y-TZP dentin zone and a more translucent 5Y incisal zone with a gradual shade transition from cervical to incisal. A monolithic crown from a multilayer disc looks more natural than one from a single-layer disc, with no layering needed.
Are feldspathic veneers durable?
Feldspathic porcelain has the lowest flexural strength in the table, but when adhesively bonded to enamel a 0.3 mm feldspathic veneer shows excellent long-term survival in clinical studies. The conditions are sound enamel, a non-destructive occlusion and a correct bonding protocol.
What should a dentist send so the lab can advise on material?
The scan or model, photos of the preparation and adjacent teeth with a shade tab, notes on occlusion or bruxism, and the patient’s esthetic expectations. For implants, add the implant system and scan body. Our technician will propose a material and opacity before production.
Which material is best for a full-mouth rehabilitation?
Most full-arch cases are made in multilayer or 3Y zirconia for strength across long spans, with lithium disilicate or layered ceramics reserved for the anterior units when maximum translucency is required. The choice depends on the occlusal scheme and on whether the case is tooth- or implant-supported.
Read further: three pressed lithium disilicate ceramics compared and 3Y-TZP vs 5Y-PSZ zirconia.
