For smiles without compromise. IPS Empress CAD is a highly esthetic leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic, especially designed for the efficient fabrication of full-contour single-tooth restorations using CAD/CAM.
IPS Empress CAD is a clinically proven restorative solution, offering lifelike translucency[1] and a harmonious appearance.
Benefits for your practice
Chameleon effect
Inspired by nature: The pronounced chameleon effect creates a harmonious shade transition to the natural tooth structure.
Fast and easy – no firing required
After grinding, chairside restorations are polished to a high gloss with OptraGloss or OptraGloss Extra Oral polishers – completely without glaze firing or a ceramic furnace. CAD/CAM restorations with excellent accuracy of fit and a flexural strength of 185 MPa[2].
Clinically proven
Trusted glass-ceramic in clinical use since 1998 – with a 97% survival rate after seven years for partial crowns[3] and a 97.8% survival rate after five years for chairside-fabricated ceramic veneers[4].
Coordinated cementation with Variolink Esthetic
High bond strength and reliable adhesive cementation – with Variolink® Esthetic and Monobond® Etch & Prime self-etching primer, both designed for optimal compatibility with IPS Empress CAD[5].
IPS Empress CAD blocks are available in two translucency levels and as polychromatic multi blocks.
Multi blocks for exceptional esthetics without characterization
Polychromatic blocks characterized by a natural progression of shade and fluorescence from the dentin to the incisal.
Polychromatic blocks characterized by a natural progression of shade and fluorescence from the dentin to the incisal.
HT blocks for smaller restorations
High-translucency blocks particularly suited for grinding smaller restorations (e.g. inlays) because of their lifelike chameleon effect.
High-translucency blocks particularly suited for grinding smaller restorations (e.g. inlays) because of their lifelike chameleon effect.
LT blocks for larger restorations
Low-translucency blocks ideal for the fabrication of larger restorations (e.g. partial crowns, crowns) thanks to their chroma and brightness value.
Low-translucency blocks ideal for the fabrication of larger restorations (e.g. partial crowns, crowns) thanks to their chroma and brightness value.
Variety of shades: A-D shades and Bleach shades
IPS Empress CAD blocks are available in A–D shades and in bright Bleach shades.
The shade availability varies depending on the translucency level.
IPS Empress CAD blocks are available in A–D shades and in bright Bleach shades.
The shade availability varies depending on the translucency level.
Veneers on 13 - 22 (#6-10) made of IPS Empress CAD Multi in long-term use
Efficient workflow
Grind
After the grinding process, the restorations exhibit an excellent accuracy of fit and a homogenenous surface structure[6].
After the grinding process, the restorations exhibit an excellent accuracy of fit and a homogenenous surface structure[6].
Polish
A natural gloss and impressive esthetics can be achieved in just a few minutes thanks to the polish-friendly surfaces.
A natural gloss and impressive esthetics can be achieved in just a few minutes thanks to the polish-friendly surfaces.
Place
IPS Empress CAD enables dentists to achieve high-quality results in a very short time.
IPS Empress CAD enables dentists to achieve high-quality results in a very short time.
The following systems have been tested and validated in close collaboration with the respective manufacturers to ensure consistent, reproducible results and reliable processing of IPS Empress CAD:
Dentsply Sirona
Planmeca
Amann Girrbach
Ivoclar
Frequently Asked Questions about IPS Empress CAD
IPS Empress CAD is made of leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic. This material consists of a glass phase and a crystalline phase. The leucite reinforcement ensures reliable strength, natural light-optical properties and outstanding esthetics.
IPS e.max CAD consists of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and provides high flexural strength (530 MPa[7]), making it ideal for use in areas of high occlusal load. IPS Empress CAD is based on leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic and produces excellent esthetic results, which makes it particularly suitable for esthetically demanding anterior restorations.
The two materials differ significantly in terms of thermal processing. IPS e.max CAD is processed in its pre-crystallized state and therefore requires a crystallization firing. In contrast, IPS Empress CAD is supplied in its final state, so no firing of the ground restoration is necessary. Both materials can be further characterized using IPS e.max CAD Crystal; in this case, an additional glaze firing is required for both IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD.
IPS Empress CAD restorations are designed for adhesive cementation. When used in combination with Variolink® Esthetic and Adhese® Universal, a reliable cementation solution is available. In addition, the self-etching primer Monobond Etch & Prime simplifies the procedure by combining etching and silanating in a single working step.
Lithium disilicate is a chemical compound that is a glass ceramic.
The minimum wall thickness required for IPS Empress CAD restorations depends on the type of restoration being fabricated. For more details, please see the Instructions for Use.
Yes. After grinding in an authorized CAD/CAM device, the restorations can be polished to a high gloss using OptraGloss or OptraGloss Extra-Oral polishers and placed immediately, without requiring a glaze firing in a ceramic furnace. This enables fast chairside fabrication and significantly reduces processing time and effort.
Yes. IPS Empress CAD is compatible with a wide range of CAD/CAM systems. It has been validated for use with PrograMill® (Ivoclar), CEREC® (Dentsply Sirona), PlanMill® (Planmeca) and Ceramill® (Amann Girrbach). For optimal results, it is recommended to consult the current list of authorized partner systems to ensure compatibility with your specific setup.
Cerec®, inLab®, PlanMill® und ceramill® are no registered trademarks of Ivoclar Vivadent AG.
[1] Under natural lighting conditions. LED-generated UV or near-UV light may produce a misleading visual impression.
[2] Mean biaxial flexural strength; result after more than 10 years of ongoing quality testing, R&D Ivoclar, Schaan.
[3] Guess P.C., et al., Int J Prosthodont, 2013, pp. 21–25.
[4] Nejatidanesh F., et al., J Prosthodont Res, 2018, pp. 462–467.
[5] Salem SK, et al., EDJ, 2019 (65), pp. 1853–64, additional data on file.
[6] Zimmermann M., et al., Journal of Prosthodontics , 2019, e504e509, additional data on file
[7] Mean biaxial flexural strength, result after more than 10 years of ongoing quality testing, R&D Ivoclar, Schaan.