VENEERS & ZIRCONIA CROWNS

IPS e.max by Ivoclar Vivadent (Switzerland) is a lithium disilicate glass ceramic — one of the strongest and most aesthetic dental materials available. With a flexural strength of 400–530 MPa, e.max veneers can be made ultra-thin (0.3–0.5mm) while maintaining exceptional durability. Zirconia (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, or Y-TZP) offers even greater strength at 900–1200 MPa and is ideal for posterior crowns. Both materials are permanently bonded to natural tooth enamel and are used in Smile Makeover and Hollywood Smile treatments at Happy Smile Clinics in Istanbul, Turkey.

When fabricated and bonded correctly, IPS e.max lithium disilicate veneers and zirconia crowns should last 10–15+ years. A systematic review published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (2023) reported a 95.6% survival rate for lithium disilicate restorations at 10 years. Happy Smile Clinics recommends maintaining oral hygiene, limiting sugary foods and beverages, brushing and flossing twice daily, drinking plenty of water, and wearing a custom nightguard splint if you grind your teeth (bruxism).

A smile design with IPS e.max by Ivoclar Vivadent or zirconia crowns at Happy Smile Clinics in Istanbul, Turkey costs roughly between €2,000 to €3,500 per smile arc, depending on the complexity of your treatment plan. This includes Digital Smile Design (DSD) planning, CAD/CAM fabrication in our in-house digital dental laboratory, and premium Ivoclar Vivadent materials. Exact quotes are established through a free online consultation with our cosmetic dentistry team. Patients from the United Kingdom, Malta, and Poland often find significant cost savings compared to domestic pricing.

Yes. Modern multilayer zirconia (such as Kuraray Noritake Katana) features a natural gradient from opaque at the cervical to translucent at the incisal, closely mimicking natural enamel. At Happy Smile Clinics, our master ceramists handcraft each zirconia restoration using CAD/CAM technology with manual staining and glazing for lifelike characterisation. Solid monolithic zirconia with a flexural strength of 1200 MPa is particularly ideal for patients with bruxism, while the CAD/CAM fabrication ensures an excellent marginal fit of ≤50 microns.

You can eat and drink normally with IPS e.max and zirconia restorations from Happy Smile Clinics. Both lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramics are designed for full functional loading. For the first few weeks after bonding, you may experience minor sensitivity, and we advise chopping crunchy foods into smaller portions until you adapt. Long-term, these materials resist staining from coffee, tea, and red wine far better than natural enamel or composite resin restorations.

Veneer debonding can occur, though it is uncommon with proper technique. Common causes include age-related adhesive degradation, tooth decay at the margins, bruxism (teeth grinding), trauma, and inadequate oral care. Studies published in Dental Materials show that IPS e.max lithium disilicate veneers bonded with resin cement achieve excellent adhesion strengths exceeding 25 MPa. At Happy Smile Clinics, we use premium bonding protocols by Ivoclar Vivadent to maximise longevity — porcelain veneers should last at least 10–15+ years with proper maintenance.

IPS e.max lithium disilicate veneers are highly stain-resistant due to their dense glass-ceramic microstructure and glazed surface finish. Studies in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry confirm that glazed ceramic surfaces resist discolouration significantly better than composite resin. However, if your natural teeth tend to stain, minimise consumption of chromogenic substances and maintain regular hygiene appointments. At Happy Smile Clinics in Istanbul, we include post-treatment care guidance with every smile design procedure.