IPS e.max: a Story of success

At Ivoclar Vivadent, we are passionate about developing new materials, technologies, products, and processes. Our vision is for every innovation to be easier and more efficient in its application as well as more reliable and more esthetic than its predecessors. An example of this is IPS e.max.

Standard in all-ceramic dentistry

More than 10 years ago, with IPS e.max we developed a high-quality material solution in the field of alloy, veneering and monolithic materials. We put the focus on lithium disilicate glass-ceramics. Our research and development team developed a material that offers particularly high quality, stability and esthetics.

Our success proves us right. In the meantime, IPS e.max is among the best-known and most widely used types of dental glass-ceramics on the market. Dental professionals around the world enthusiastically make it IPS e.max. Patients are delighted with the superior esthetic quality of their restorations made of IPS e.max Press or IPS e.max CAD and customized using the layering ceramic IPS e.max Ceram.

Very high quality during production

The lithium disilicate glass-ceramic materials are produced using an integrated glass technological manufacturing process involving melting, cooling, crystal nucleation and crystal growth. To impart the desired colour to the lithium disilicate material, polyvalent ions that are dissolved in the glass polyvalent ions are utilized. These ions are dissolved in the glass. The colour-producing ions are homogeneously distributed, thereby eliminating colour imperfections. Throughout production, our team constantly monitors and optimizes the processes to ensure high quality and consistency.

CAD blocks: only partially crystallized

IPS e.max CAD lithium disilicate blocks are CAD/CAM-manufactured, but only partially crystallized. Therefore, the blocks can be milled efficiently in the typical blue crystalline intermediate phase. The transition of the initial crystallization process forms the lithium metasilicate crystals that impart good edge stability and relatively high strength.

The millable IPS e.max CAD blocks achieve their desired colour and opacity during the post-milling crystallization process in the ceramic furnace. After the crystallization, the material reaches its desired high strength.

IPS e.max Press Multi: natural-looking graduation of shade and translucency

Press ceramics have been synonymous with esthetics, accuracy of fit, shape and function. We at Ivoclar Vivadent are constantly searching for new ways to implement serial production
processes. Meanwhile, IPS e.max Press Multi polychromatic ingots have revolutionized the fabrication and production of monolithic restorations. Until now, these restorations often required laborious layering processes to reach a natural-looking graduation of shade and translucency. Today, thanks to IPS e.max Press Multi they are produced with maximum efficiency with the press technique. 

IPS e.max Ceram: coordinated layering ceramics

The IPS e.max system has been complemented from the very beginning by the fluorapatite glass-ceramic IPS e.max Ceram. It can be applied on both lithium-disilicate and zirconium oxide. The tooth-like properties of the restoration must be attributed to the nanoscale fluorapatite crystals, which create impressive and lifelike esthetics. The comprehensive range of layering materials offers the right solution for alloy materials in different translucencies and for every clinical case.

Learn more about the versatile IPS e.max portfolio.

Learn more about our six brand new products for the fabrication of ceramic restorations. Watch the video now and register to get the latest product information!