Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry
Julie A. Spaniel DDS

Dental Technology at Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry

Dental technology is rapidly evolving, and Dr. Julie Spaniel is committed to staying abreast of the latest and most innovative technologies and equipment for the benefit of all her patients. Utilizing leading-edge technology, materials and techniques allows Dr. Spaniel and our team at Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry to diagnose and treat dental conditions as accurately and precisely as possible.

Read on to learn more about the technology we utilize to make your visit with us both efficient and comfortable.

iTero® Scanner

The iTero® scanning system enhances the planning and execution of various dental procedures. With the iTero® scanner, we are able to take high-quality digital scans of your teeth and mouth, which are almost instantly displayed on our monitor so we can plan an array of dental procedures with more ease and precision. As an added benefit, our patients are also able to view the detailed scans of their mouth and teeth, and ask any questions they may have. With the help of the high-quality scans, our team is able to answer your questions more easily and you can have peace of mind that you are receiving the best treatment possible.

The iTero® scanner has become an invaluable tool in the Invisalign process. Invisalign requires taking dental impressions of a patient’s mouth to create customized aligner trays. Traditionally, dental impressions are taken using rubber molds, which are often described as messy and uncomfortable by patients. The iTero® scanner eliminates the inconvenience of molds and enhances the precision of the Invisalign process. Once the scans are taken, the iTero® system creates a 3D map of your mouth, which is used to map out treatment.

In addition to Invisalign, the iTero® scanner can also be used to plan an array of restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, including dental crowns, bridges, dentures, porcelain veneers and dental implants.

Same-Day Dental Crowns with CEREC

It used to be that patients had to wait several weeks to receive permanent dental restorations. But thanks to CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramics), patients can have high-quality, beautiful porcelain crowns in a single dental visit. The CEREC system includes a digital camera that takes pictures of the patient’s prepared tooth and state-of-the-art computer software that creates a 3D virtual model or impression of the tooth. Dr. Spaniel is able to design the restoration online in a matter of minutes, while patients are able to sit back and relax in the dental chair. Digital impressions are highly accurate. In fact, they are nearly 10 times more accurate than traditional impressions taken with rubber molds.

Once Dr. Spaniel is finished designing the dental restoration, she sends the information to our on-site CEREC milling unit, which will create the restoration using high-quality porcelain in a matter of minutes. Dr. Spaniel will then place the restoration using CEREC’s highly accurate computer software. CEREC dental restorations are strong and very lifelike. Patients love the convenience of same-day dental restorations with the CEREC system.

Contact Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry Today

To learn more about the dental technologies we use, or to schedule an appointment for you or a family member, contact Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry. Please call (503) 906-8600 or fill out the contact form below.