E-Max Crowns (Lithium Disilicate) are one of the most aesthetic and natural-looking crown options available. They are lightweight, thin and layered during construction to mimic the translucency of natural enamel.

This makes them an excellent option for front teeth, where appearance is especially important.

Benefits of E-Max crowns

✔ Excellent natural appearance
✔ Highly translucent for lifelike aesthetics
✔ Metal-free for improved cosmetic results
✔ Strong and durable for everyday use
✔ Thin and conservative, often requiring less tooth preparation
✔ Ideal for smile makeovers and front teeth restorations

Why choose E-Max?

Unlike some other crown materials, E-Max is layered during construction to create depth, texture and natural light reflection, making it one of the most aesthetic crown options available.

At Shettleston Smile, E-Max crowns are produced using digital intra-oral scanning rather than traditional impressions, helping to achieve a precise fit and a more comfortable patient experience.

Things to consider

Although E-Max is strong, it can be slightly more brittle than Zirconia, which means it may not always be the best choice for back teeth where there is heavier biting pressure or for patients who grind their teeth.

Is an E-Max crown right for me?

If you are looking for a highly cosmetic, natural-looking restoration, particularly for front teeth, E-Max may be one of the best options available. Your dentist will assess your tooth, bite and cosmetic goals to help decide if E-Max is the right choice for your smile.

Impulse Ceramic crowns are a metal-free crown option designed to restore damaged, weakened or heavily filled teeth while improving appearance and function.

At Shettleston Smile Dental Practice, Impulse Ceramic crowns offer a more affordable cosmetic alternative to premium restorations such as E-Max or Zirconia.

These crowns are made by Impulse Dental Laboratory in Shettleston and are milled from a single solid block of ceramic, which gives them strength and a natural tooth-coloured appearance.

Benefits of Impulse Ceramic Crowns

✔ Metal-free for a more natural appearance
✔ Tooth-coloured to blend with surrounding teeth
✔ More affordable than premium ceramic options
✔ Suitable for restoring broken, worn or weakened teeth
✔ Helps improve both function and appearance

Things to consider

Impulse Ceramic crowns have very good cosmetic properties, but they may not achieve the same level of natural translucency and finish as E-Max crowns. They can also be more brittle than Zirconia, which means they may not always be suitable for heavier biting areas or back teeth where there is more pressure.

Is an Impulse Ceramic crown right for me?

An Impulse Ceramic crown may be a good option if you want a strong, natural-looking restoration at a lower cost than some premium materials. Your dentist will assess the position of the tooth, your bite and your cosmetic goals to help you choose the most suitable crown for your smile.

Zirconia crowns are strong, tooth-coloured ceramic crowns used to restore damaged, broken or weakened teeth while providing excellent durability and a natural appearance and are often recommended when strength is just as important as appearance, particularly for back teeth or for patients who put more pressure on their bite.

Zirconia is made from Zirconium Dioxide, an advanced ceramic material known for its exceptional toughness and long-term reliability.

Benefits of Zirconia Crowns

✔ Extremely strong and durable
✔ Highly resistant to chipping and cracking
✔ Metal-free for a natural tooth-coloured finish
✔ Suitable for front and back teeth
✔ Ideal for patients who grind or clench their teeth
✔ Long-lasting with proper care

Why choose Zirconia?

Zirconia crowns offer an excellent balance of strength and cosmetics. They can be finished to a high cosmetic standard and are often chosen when a restoration needs to cope with heavier chewing forces.

Zirconia crowns are created using digital intra-oral scanning, allowing for accurate impressions and a precise fit without the need for traditional moulds.

Things to consider

Although Zirconia looks very natural, it is slightly more opaque than E-Max. This means it does not have the same translucent quality as natural enamel, which can make E-Max a better option for highly visible front teeth where aesthetics are the main priority.

Is a Zirconia crown right for me?

If you are looking for a strong, durable and natural-looking restoration, especially for back teeth or heavily loaded teeth, Zirconia may be an excellent option. Your dentist will assess your bite, tooth position and cosmetic goals to help recommend the most suitable crown for your smile.

Metal Alloy Crowns are full metal crowns made entirely from a strong dental alloy. They are designed to restore damaged or weakened teeth where strength and function are the main priorities and are often chosen as a practical, cost-effective option for teeth that need long-lasting protection but where appearance is less important.

These crowns are made from non-precious metal alloys, making them extremely durable and resistant to wear.

Benefits of metal alloy crowns

✔ Extremely strong and hard-wearing
✔ Long-lasting and highly durable
✔ Less likely to chip or crack
✔ Requires less tooth removal compared to some other crowns
✔ A practical lower-cost option for back teeth

Why choose a metal alloy crown?

Metal alloy crowns are often recommended for back teeth where they can withstand heavy biting forces. Because they are made entirely from metal, they are less prone to breaking and can often last many years with proper care.

They are also kinder to the opposing teeth in some cases due to their precise fit and durability.

Things to consider

Although highly functional, metal alloy crowns are not designed for cosmetic purposes.

Because they are metallic in appearance:

• They do not blend in with natural teeth
• They are more noticeable when smiling
• They can feel slightly bulkier than ceramic crowns

Is a metal alloy crown right for me?

If you need a strong, durable and practical restoration, especially for a back tooth where appearance is less important, a metal alloy crown may be a suitable choice. Your dentist will advise whether this is the best option based on your tooth, bite and treatment needs.