The Ivoclar Smile Award has been established to recognize clinical and technical excellence in cases demonstrating meaningful esthetic transformation. In its inaugural year, the award acknowledges dental professionals whose skill, collaboration, and innovation contribute to high-quality outcomes for patients worldwide.
The initiative is designed to draw attention to the often-unseen aspects of expert dental work — the precision, consistency, and interdisciplinary teamwork that support patient trust. Beyond case submission, the award framework encourages professional exchange by offering opportunities for participants to connect with international colleagues, learn from experienced practitioners, and share approaches to contemporary restorative challenges.
Vincent Fehmer, renowned master dental technician from Lausanne, Switzerland, explains: “Taking part is what really counts – because simply by submitting your work, you will reflect on its quality, strengthen excellence in your daily practice, and take your skills to the next level.”
The Ivoclar Smile Award 2026 will recognize cases completed with IPS e.max materials in two categories:
Proven Masters — for established dentist–technician teams presenting complex restorative cases that exemplify high esthetic standards.
Rising Stars — for technicians under the age of 30 whose work demonstrates developing expertise and promising craftsmanship in daily laboratory practice.
Submissions will be assessed by an international panel of dental and technical experts. Evaluation criteria include the clinical challenge of the case, esthetic execution, appropriateness of material selection, and demonstrated patient satisfaction.
The 2026 award focuses on the IPS e.max material family, which has been used in restorative dentistry for more than two decades and is supported by long-term clinical data, including a reported survival rate exceeding 95% after up to 17 years. These materials are central to many minimally invasive, esthetically driven treatment plans.
All eligible dental professionals and technicians are invited to submit their IPS e.max cases for consideration. The registration deadline is April 30, 2026. Further details may be found at smileaward.ivoclar.com.
