Our Knoxville dental office has incorporated some of the most sophisticated technology to improve your patient experience and your results. This technology helps the staff and dentist communicate more effectively with each other and the patient. Technology also helps us achieve a more accurate diagnosis and provide successful treatment.
It should not be used as a crutch, but rather as an aid in comprehensive dental care, especially when addressing complex oral health problems that also impact your physical health and well-being.
Digital Dentistry
i-Tero Scanner
This handheld device allows our dentists to take 3-D color imagery of your complete oral cavity including the teeth and the gums. This innovative technology uses a tiny rounded camera for ideal positioning and rotation. As Dr. Cain moves this small camera around in your mouth, live imagery can be displayed on a computer.
The i-Tero scanner provides Dr. Cain the ability to clearly analyze your teeth and gums for more precise diagnosis and treatment.
Digital X-rays
Digital radiography or x-rays is the standard in modern dentistry. This sophisticated technology captures and instantly delivers a clear digital image to the computer so that Dr. Cain and the patient can clearly see what is going on with the teeth, joints, and bones.
Digital x-rays emit 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, combined with the fact that the image is taken in fractions of a second to ensure that the patient’s exposure is extremely low.
Digital x-rays are also environmentally friendly. There are no chemicals needed to develop the images and since the images are in a digital format, there is no need for bulky storage. Digital x-rays can be kept with the patient’s digital records.
The images produced from the digital radiograph are incredibly clear and allow for a greater level of communication between the dentist and patient.
Sirona 3-D Imaging
We are excited to offer patients access to the latest in 3-D dental imaging. The Sirona ORTHOPHOS XG 3D takes diagnostic images in multiple views with a single scan. Dr. Cain can analyze 2D, 3D and panoramic images to get an incredible view of the inter-workings of the oral system.
This digital imaging system scans in just seconds, exposing patients to the absolute lowest effective dose of radiation necessary. Three-dimensional imaging is particularly important for planning dental implants, restorative dentistry cases and TMJ therapy.
Paperless Charting
We are all responsible for keeping the planet a safer, cleaner environment and leaving it a better place for future generations. Paperless charting allows us to accumulate less waste as a patient’s dental records including any x-rays, imaging, and medical history are kept in a digital format.
Digital records can be easily stored, archived, and shared with other medical professionals or specialists should the situation arise. Another benefit of paperless charting is that there is no guesswork or interpreting another person’s handwriting or notes.
All information is clear and legible eliminating misunderstandings between the dentist, staff, and any specialists involved in the patient’s care.
Bite Analysis Technology in Knoxville, TN
Dr. Pamela Cain has advanced training and experience diagnosing and treating bite problems using a range of advanced tools and technologies. These diagnostic tools provide an in-depth analysis of jaw function from namny different perspectives. Dr. Cain is able to use the results of these scans, graphing tools and tracking software to gather a comprehensive understanding of how your jaw is functioning and where there are problems.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)
Your TMJ’s or jaw joints are the skeletal foundation of your mouth. All dentists are required to assess the health and function of your TMJs. Our office uses Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) which records the vibrations created by joint fluid, cartilage, and bone as you open and close your mouth.
This test allows us to objectively measure and document the health of your Jaw Joint in just 10 seconds of opening and closing.
It can be used to help diagnose problems with the joint that can be the cause of breakdown or pain and can help us make sure we are aware of any underlying issues before performing any treatment that could damage or strain your jaw joints.
EMG – Electromyography
EMG – Electromyography or “Electronic Muscle Graphing” is a pain-free and non-invasive tool we use to objectively measure how your jaw muscles are resting, clenching, chewing, and swallowing. The teeth and muscles work together and impact each other.
We can use it to check the balance of your muscle function and assess the impact on your muscles before, during, and after any treatment that may change the way they rest and function.
MLS Laser Therapy
Dr. Cain has advanced training through BioResearch and can offer MLS Laser Therapy to treat jaw pain as associated with TMJ disorders. The MLS laser offers a unique and highly-effective dual-wavelength technology that is designed to reduce inflammation and promote healing simultaneously. One of the benefits of MLS laser therapy is that it can often reduce the need for medication to treat chronic jaw pain and inflammation.
In addition to jaw pain and inflammation, the MLS laser can also be used to treat a mucocele, cold sores and other oral health concerns that are inflammatory in nature.
JT-3D™ Jaw Tracker
This technology combines advanced sensors and CAD/CAM software to track jaw movement. The device can provide details on jaw movement and placement during chewing, speaking, and when at rest. This comprehensive information can enable Dr. Cain to provide more accurate treatment that is designed to address where the jaw dysfunction is located.
T-Scan Bite Analysis
There have been many important technological advances in dentistry – one of the most exciting is the innovation of T-Scan®, a digital bite analysis device. Dr. Pamela Cain is excited to be among the few dentists in the Knoxville area to offer this important tool that helps to measure the force and timing of a person’s bite to determine where there may be issues.
Many dental procedures can change the way you bite. Fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, orthodontics as well as many more. For over 100 years dentists have relied on paper covered in ink to see where the upper and lower teeth contact. But this old technique gives no information on the force, timing, and balance of your bite.
And that’s exactly what makes you feel your bite is “off”. We use the T-Scan NOVUS system that displays all this information on a computer so that your dentist can use it to get your bite right, with minimal tooth loss from guessing. So that you aren’t subjected to the time and expense of unnecessary office visits.
- How Bite Analysis Has Evolved
Conventional methods for evaluating a patient’s bite require the use of articulating paper which can only show the end results of occlusal contact. Unable to record which contacts hit first or measure their relative strength, these methods can not produce a comprehensive assessment. The T-Scan uses sophisticated sensors and software to take much of the guesswork out of these traditional analysis methods. - How It Works
Using a small, hand-held device, Dr. Cain can quickly and accurately determine how well the balance of your bite is. You simply bite down on an ultra-thin sensor, which measures the time and force of your bite. The information is sent to the computer which analyzes and displays the data in minutes. From this 3-D analysis, Dr. Cain can determine what is and what is not working with your bite. - Is Malocclusion Hurting Your Smile?
An unstable bite can be painful and cause teeth and dental restorations to crack or break, and lead to gum disease, tooth loss or TMJ disorders. Malocclusion can also lead to orofacial pain. With hi-tech analysis, Dr. Cain can provide you with timely and comprehensive solutions.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
Contact us today for a consultation with Dr. Cain and ask about our digital bite analysis. Call (865) 276-7173 or request an appointment online.
