Technology in the Practice

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)

The Joint Vibration Analysis is based on simple principles of motion and friction: When smooth surfaces rub together, little friction is created… and little vibration. If these surfaces become rough because of bony breakdown, the friction and vibration will increase when these surfaces articulate. The JVA includes a series of extremely sensitive sensors that measure movement in 4-dimensional space. The movement becomes translated into a digital signal and displayed as simple data in the Bio PAK™ software.

Jaw joint vibrations have been researched thoroughly with thousands of documented cases of various dysfunction. The JVA can help direct us to identify disturbances that match up to various types of dysfunction found on the Piper scale of jaw joint dysfunction. Many offices that are currently practicing without the JVA don’t have the data to properly diagnose and treat patients in the best possible way.

MLS Laser

The MLS Therapy Laser treats symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction, such as craniofacial pain, inflammation, and muscular pain. The MLS Laser accelerates healing, and decreases inflammation which can cause a reduction of pain. The MLS Laser can improve tissue repair and stimulate the growth of new cells.

The MLS therapy laser operates with a dual-wavelength simultaneously which is uniquely designed to facilitate healing and reduce inflammation at the cellular level. The MLS dental laser is a fast, easy, and effective way to manage pain. This allows us to finish cases faster, and prescribe less medication and our patients love it. Because the energy from the laser stops inflammation from happening, the cells immediately begin the healing process at the mitochondria level.  The MLS Laser has been coined the “Ferrari” of lasers because it’s truly magnificent at what it does.

T-SCAN

The T-SCAN  captures and transfers data from a sensor which creates a high-resolution and accurate representation of the patient’s bite over the entire closure sequence.

We can create data sheets for the entire occlusion and jaw movements that can provide an amazing picture of our patient’s unique bite. The T-SCAN can help us understand the muscle, occlusion, and force relationship that can give us deeper clues as to the condition of our patients. At our Centre, this kind of information is helpful when determining the proper occlusal architecture when redesigning a person’s dentition.

CBCT

The CBCT is an X-ray that has the ability to provide information to various components of the head and neck with very minimal radiation.  The CBCT is not synonymous with a medical CT. CBCT stands for Cone Beam Computerized Tomography which suggests the beam is shaped as a cone and only passes one time. As a medical CT is created it circles the object being captured many times which can produce up to 3000 times more radiation. Interestingly, this new technology is now being incorporated into the ENT world more and more. We can now evaluate, in three dimensions, various components such as the temporal mandibular joints (TMJ) and the airway.  This information can provide us with understandings such as locations of nasal obstruction or osseous (bony) changes occurring in the jaw joint.

Acoustic Pharyngometer / Rhinometer

To better diagnose our sleep patients, the Acoustic Pharyngometer / Rhinometer (PR)is a tool that provides information on airway size and stability. Sound waves are projected out of the instrument, reflected back and then analyzed using the PR software. This technology is similar to what a submarine might use to determine the size of an object by emitting sound pulses and then measuring their return after the sound wave is reflected. It takes 2-5 minutes to complete and allows us to determine how a patient could benefit from an oral appliance treatment that is used to treat Sleep Disordered Breathing problems.

NR6 Rhinomanometer

This equipment is very helpful in evaluating the airflow both pre- and post- nasal surgery as performed by a Ear Nose and Throat doctor(ENT). In addition, one can also objectively determine the efficacy of nasal sprays that improve nasal air flow.