Porcelain Restoration Selection Guide
| Points of Comparison | IPS Empress Esthetic | IPS e.Max | LAVA | PFM | Full Contour Zirconia |
| Goals | Esthetics, translucency, metal-free | Esthetics, metal-free, strength | Metal-free, strength, esthetics | Strength, cost variety | Metal-free, strength |
| Primary Applications | Veneers, crowns, inlays & onlays | Veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays | Single crowns, & 3-6 unit bridges | Single crowns through long span bridges | Crowns and bridges |
| Preparation Requirements | Shoulder margin design 1.0 mm minimum at the margin, 1.5-2.0 mm reduction at incisal/occlusal, facial & lingual | Shoulder margin design 1.0 mm minimum at the margin, 1.5-2.0 mm reduction at incisal/occlusal, facial & lingual | Deep chamfer design with minimum .8mm gingival reduction, 1.5- 2.0mm reduction at incisal/occlusal & facial+++ | Any margin design with 1.0-1.5 mm reduction for color, 1.5-2.0 mm reduction at incisal/occlusal and facial | Shoulder preparation preferred, feather edge is okay Clearance similar to full cast gold preps. - 1.0 mm is ideal, 0.5 mm is acceptable. |
| Cementation Guidelines | Adhesive bonding with dual cure bonding agent | Adhesive bonding or conventional cementation | conventional or translucent adhesive | Conventional cementation | Conventional cementation |
| Flexural Strength | 90-150 MPa before and 700 MPa after bonding | 350-400 MPa prior to seating. Material is 2.5x's stronger empress | 1100-1300 MPa | 1200-1400 MPa | 900-1300 MPa |
| Enamel Wear | Comparable to natural enamel | Comparable to natural enamel | Depends on type of veneering porcelain | Depends on type of veneering porcelain | Ongoing research |
| Restoration Composition | Lucite reinforced glass | Lithium disilicate | Zirconium oxide substructure with LAVA Ceram porcelain | Alloy substructure with feldspathic porcelain | Monolithic zirconia |