Let’s Talk About CEREC crowns – What you need to know

At Portobello Dental Clinic, we’ve always been committed to staying at the forefront of dental innovation — and that’s exactly why we were one of the first clinics in Ireland to introduce CEREC dental crowns. Over the years, we’ve continued to upgrade and invest in this world-class technology, most recently with the cutting-edge Primescan System.  This system includes the Primescan, which is the fastest and most accurate digital scanner available today, together with Cerec milling machine and Cerec furnace.

This state-of-the-art technology allows us to create beautiful, durable, and perfectly fitted ceramic crowns in just one visit.

CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crowns are custom-made ceramic crowns designed and milled right here in our clinic (in-house), using digital impressions taken with the Primescan Intraoral Scanner.

Crown restorations are a great option for restoring teeth that have been moderately to severely damaged by tooth decay, large fillings, or fractures. Using advanced digital technology, a CEREC crown can be custom-designed and made in a single visit, eliminating the need for temporary crowns or multiple appointments. This type of restoration is especially suitable for back teeth (molars and premolars), which need strong support for chewing.

For the best results, the tooth should still have enough healthy structure to hold the crown securely, and good oral hygiene is essential to maintain the health of the restored tooth. A crown (in-house or otherwise) may not be the right choice if too much tooth structure is missing or if the damage extends too far below the gumline, as that can interfere with proper crown fitting and bonding.

The CEREC Primescan

Instead of the usual impression technique using a soft, very flowable material that takes time to set in your mouth, we use an advanced medical grade computer to take a digital scan of your tooth, and convert it into a 3D model. This model is then used on-screen and in front of you to help design the size, shape, and colour of your new tooth.

Once we’ve finished designing the tooth, the Primescan unit then sends the file to our milling machine, which uses precise cutting drills to craft your new tooth out of a strong dental porcelain. This is then bonded to your prepared tooth, giving a highly durable and attractive end result.

Patients can even see their new crown being made in real time, while they wait for their crown to be milled!

When it comes to making your in-house CEREC crown, we use high quality and proven materials that are both strong and natural-looking. The main materials we use are called E-Max and Enamic.

E-Max is made from Lithium Disilicate, which is known for its strength and realistic appearance allowing it to blend in beautifully with your natural teeth and add strength to your tooth. Enamic is a mix of ceramic and a softer, more flexible material, making it a polymerised ceramic, which makes it great at absorbing pressure when you chew, whilst having the ability to flex with the tooths natural movements.

Both are excellent choices, though each has specific clinical indications/contra-indications, and your dentist will discuss which material option is best for you.

With years of experience using CEREC technology, and one of the most advanced digital workflows in Irish dentistry, our team at Portobello Dental Clinic has restored thousands of smiles using same-day crowns. Our Primescan technology ensures a seamless process from start to finish, with exceptional results that look and feel natural.

If you’ve been told you need a crown, or you’re dealing with a chipped or worn tooth, CEREC may be the ideal solution — quick, reliable, and beautifully crafted.

The first step is to book a comprehensive dental assessment with one of our dentists. This includes a full dental examination, any necessary x-rays and/or photos, oral cancer screening, gum examination, consultation, and treatment plan. Your dentist will determine at this appointment if you are a suitable candidate for a CEREC crown.

To book in for an appointment please contact us on (01) 454 2022, email us on info@portobellodental.com or alternatively if you would like to book an appointment online, you can book here.