The Dean Cosmetic Dentistry building at 121 Capital Drive, Knoxville, with the palm tree sign on its front.

Crowns made while you wait, in Knoxville.

Dr. Donnie Dean has made same-day CEREC crowns since 2001, and today he is a national CEREC mentor to other dentists. His dental center on Capital Drive, just off Kingston Pike, opened in November 2020.

CEREC in-house since 2001 1 visit

Scanned, designed, milled and bonded in about an hour, with no temporary crown to wear home.

Recognition and training, as shown by the practice

Best of Knoxville 2025Dental careNextdoor Neighborhood Fave2020 to 2024Opencare Patients’ ChoiceKnoxville, 2015National CEREC mentorDr. Donnie DeanPankey & Spear InstitutesAdvanced training
Dr. Dean and his team breaking ground on the Capital Drive site in January 2020.

In January 2020 Dr. Donnie Dean broke ground on a lifelong dream: his own dental center on Capital Drive. That November the whole team moved in with him, into fourteen treatment rooms with the technology to make your crown while you wait.

The waiting room at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry, with a vaulted ceiling and large mountain photographs.

Same great people, same technologically advanced dentistry. Just a new home for it.

The waiting room at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry, with high windows and mountain photographs.
The corridor to the treatment rooms, with an operatory open on the left.
An aerial view of the dental center at 121 Capital Drive.
A treatment room with its dental chair beneath an arched window.
Rows of seating along the waiting room wall.
A corridor of treatment rooms, each with artwork outside.
The covered entrance of the dental center at dusk.
The double-height waiting room with clerestory windows.
Treatment rooms along the main corridor.
The dental center and its car park from above.
The long corridor through the dental center.
Dr. Donnie Dean in a treatment room between the Solea laser and the Primescan scanner.
2001
The year Dr. Dean started making CEREC crowns in his own office.

Meet Dr. Dean

Dr. Donnie Dean, DDS

A graduate of The University of Texas Health Science Center, and a dentist who believes learning never stops. Over thirty years of experience, training from the Pankey Institute and the Spear Institute, study clubs as standard practice, and a mentor to other dentists in CEREC.

  • National CEREC mentorA pioneer of one-visit crowns, with CEREC in the practice since 2001, and now a mentor to dentists learning the same digital workflow.
  • Implants planned in 3D, in-houseGalileos cone beam imaging and CEREC together allow implant planning, surgical guides and the final crown under one roof.
  • Cosmetic, with his own labVeneers, crowns and inlays designed on screen and made on site, matched to the shade of your own teeth.
  • Knoxville, with MargaretMarried since 1990, after meeting on a cruise ship. Margaret hosts the practice’s podcast; away from the office they fish, boat, golf and travel.

And the team who will know your name.

Hygienists, assistants and coordinators: a team that remembers your name, listens to your concerns, and genuinely wants to help you feel better.

Samantha, Dental Assistant at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dental Assistant

Samantha

Certified at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy in 2022, and now teaches at a dental assisting school.

Karen, Patient Coordinator at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Patient Coordinator

Karen

A patient here for over 25 years before the practice asked her to join the team.

Courtney, Dental Hygienist at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dental Hygienist

Courtney

Came from Denver in 2024. A hygienist since 2019, known for being gentle yet thorough.

Tristine, Dental Hygienist at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dental Hygienist

Tristine

Roane State dental hygiene degree in 2023, after starting as an assistant in 2018.

Samantha W., Dental Hygienist at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dental Hygienist

Samantha W.

From Lenoir City. A registered dental assistant in 2021, then Roane State hygiene in 2024.

Vanessa, Dental Assistant at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dental Assistant

Vanessa

Raised in California, licensed through Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy in 2023.

Jess, Appointment Coordinator at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Appointment Coordinator

Jess

Born and raised in East Tennessee, with a background in hospitality and patient care.

Angela, Treatment Plan Coordinator at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Treatment Plan Coordinator

Angela

A Registered Dental Assistant with a background in orthodontics.

Sophia, Treatment Coordinator at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry.
Treatment Coordinator

Sophia

A University of Florida biology graduate who plans a career in dentistry.

A relaxing environment

Built so a visit feels easy.

The practice’s own promise is advanced technology in a relaxing environment. Here is what each half of that means in the chair.

Dr. Dean treating a patient, with the Solea laser unit beside the chair.
01

Often, no needle at all

The problem: the drill, the numbness, and a lip that stays fat all afternoon.

Solea is a computer-guided CO2 laser for both teeth and gums. It is virtually silent and vibration-free, and some of our patients skip anesthesia because they simply do not need it, then go straight back to work.

A treatment room at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry with its dental chair and arched window.
02

A TV, a blanket, a proper chair

The problem: an hour in a dental chair can feel like three.

Every treatment bay has a top-of-the-line chair and a TV with its own remote. Blankets and pillows are there if you want them, with streaming, free Wi-Fi, and coffee or water before you start.

Dr. Dean beside the Primescan scanner, its screen showing a 3D scan of a patient's teeth.
03

No gooey impressions

The problem: a tray of putty and a gag reflex.

Primescan captures more than 50,000 images a second and builds a 3D model of your teeth on screen. A full-jaw scan takes two to three minutes, with nothing to bite into.

Dentistry in Knoxville, TN

Cosmetic, restorative and family care.

From routine cleanings to a full smile makeover, for children through to seniors, with each treatment tailored to the person in the chair.

Everyday care

Your hygienist cleans, Dr. Dean examines, and both check for oral cancer at every visit. No upselling, no pressure, and no judgment if it has been a while.

  • Dental Cleanings and Exams
  • Oral cancer screening
  • Fluoride and sealants
  • Gum health
  • Tooth-colored fillings
Ask about it →

One-visit restorations

Designed on screen and milled in our own lab while you wait, in a ceramic matched to your other teeth. No temporary, and no second appointment.

  • CEREC Same-Day Crowns
  • Inlays and Onlays
  • Bridges
  • Dentures and Partials
Ask about it →

Cosmetic dentistry

Dr. Dean concentrates on cosmetic dentistry and has his own dental lab on site, so a smile makeover is planned, made and fitted here.

  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Dental Bonding
  • Enamel and gum reshaping
  • SureSmile Clear Aligners
Ask about it →

Implants, grinding & extractions

Implants planned in 3D and restored with a crown designed here. Custom night guards for the grinding that wears teeth down and brings on morning headaches.

  • Dental Implants
  • Extractions With Bone Grafting
  • Night Guards
  • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Ask about it →

What people ask about most.

A CEREC crown, same day

A camera scans the tooth, the software builds a 3D model, the shade is matched and the mill makes the crown in minutes. About an hour, start to finish.

Dental implants

A titanium post in the jawbone, planned with Galileos 3D imaging, then a crown designed from a Primescan scan once it has healed. It also helps stop bone loss.

SureSmile clear aligners

A digital scan instead of impressions, a plan built in SureSmile software, then clear removable trays. Dr. Dean supports you through to the end.

Teeth whitening

EZ White Pro in the office can reach up to 8 shades whiter in as little as 30 minutes. Or custom trays at home, worn for 40 minutes a day.

Our advanced technology

Over $1 million of it, under one roof.

Less pain and less time in the chair than most traditional offices. Dean Cosmetic Dentistry is one of only a few practices in the Knoxville area with Galileos 3D imaging, and the CEREC lab is down the hall from your chair.

  • CERECCAD/CAM design and milling of crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, implant crowns and most three-unit bridges, in one visit.
  • PrimescanA handheld intraoral scanner: a full jaw in two to three minutes, and no impression trays.
  • Galileos Sirona 3DCone beam 3D imaging of the jaw, the joints and the craniofacial region, at the lowest necessary dose.
  • Solea laserThe first FDA-cleared CO2 dental laser for both hard and soft tissue.
Dr. Donnie Dean in the in-office lab beside the CEREC milling unit.
Dr. Dean in the in-office lab, where same-day crowns are milled.

A same-day crown, in five steps.

  1. 01ScanA digital camera scans the tooth to create a 3D image. No impression needed.
  2. 02ModelThe CEREC software turns the images into a three-dimensional model.
  3. 03MatchThe colour is chosen to match your own teeth.
  4. 04MillThe milling unit carves the crown from the 3D model within minutes.
  5. 05BondIt is bonded in place the same day. Say hello to your new smile.

Insurance & payment

Most insurance taken. A plan if you have none.

We are committed to making your dental care affordable and accessible, whether you are insured, uninsured or somewhere in between.

Accepted insurance

We take most major insurances, including the plans below. If you do not see yours, call (865) 539-1119: chances are good we accept it as well.

  • ABS
  • Acuity Group
  • Aetna
  • Aflac
  • Allstate
  • Allied Benefit Systems
  • Alternative Benefit Plans
  • Always Care
  • Ameritas
  • Anthem BCBS
  • Assurant
  • BCBS
  • CIGNA
  • Concierge
  • Delta Dental
  • DentaQuest
  • Freedom Life
  • Grace Healthcare
  • Guardian Dental
  • Health Scope
  • Health Smart
  • Horizon
  • Humana
  • Independent American
  • Integra
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Lincoln Financial
  • Manhattan Life
  • MetLife
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Meritain Health
  • National General
  • Physicians Mutual
  • Principal Life
  • Renaissance Dental
  • Security Life of America
  • Simple
  • Sentry
  • Southland Benefit Solutions
  • Sun Life
  • Team Care
  • Tennessee Valley Operating
  • UCT
  • UMR
  • United Healthcare
  • Willow Health

CareCredit financing

Third-party financing for any procedure, including anything insurance does not fully cover, with flexible payment options. Approval is subject to certain criteria.

Learn about CareCredit →

No insurance? The membership plan.

One yearly fee. Every plan includes all periodic, comprehensive and emergency exams, intraoral digital x-rays, fluoride treatments, and 15% off all dental procedures.

Child $399/year Two cleanings a year 13 years and under Save $128
Adult Basic $460/year Two cleanings a year 14 years and older Save $135
Adult Plus $600/year Three cleanings a year   Save $249
Perio Basic $600/year Two periodontal maintenance visits   Save $107
Perio Regular $788/year Three periodontal maintenance visits   Save $229
Perio Plus $945/year Four periodontal maintenance visits   Save $382

New patients

A welcome gift, and less paperwork.

Every new patient receives credit towards custom-made whitening trays and whitening solution, or a custom-designed splint, night guard or retainer, whichever you need.

  1. Call (865) 539-1119 to discuss what you need, or use the form below
  2. After hours, send the form and we will call you back during office hours
  3. Print the new patient forms, fill them in, and bring them to your first visit
  4. The welcome credit applies once that first appointment is complete
The covered entrance of Dean Cosmetic Dentistry at 121 Capital Drive.
The covered entrance at 121 Capital Dr., in West Knoxville, just off Kingston Pike.

5.0 out of 5 · 1,200+ Google reviews

What Knoxville says about Dr. Dean.

★★★★★
I have always felt like I’m family and not ‘just a patient’ at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry. From front office to dental chair, you receive the best of care! I wouldn’t go anywhere else and highly recommend them!!! Thanks, you guys for everything! If you’re looking for a dentist, see Dr Dean and his staff and you’ll soon feel like family, too! Wendy UGoogle review
★★★★★
Dr Dean’s professional skills are amazing. When he gave me my local anesthesia, I didn’t feel a thing. As a norm, I’m usually nervous when I go to the dentist, but Dr Dean has shown me that I don’t have to be nervous. From check in to checkout, everyone was very professional. Lonnie PowellGoogle review
★★★★★
Dr. Dean and his staff are terrific ! They listen to your concerns and take the time to ensure your visit is up to their high standards. Their follow up and follow thru are the reason I have recommended them to all my family and friends! Nancy DGoogle review
★★★★★
Quick work from a personable team. My daughter and I have both had good experiences. They don’t hard sell anything and just focus on what you’re there to address. David BGoogle review
★★★★★
Very professional, make you feel very comfortable! Did an amazing job cleaning my teeth! Dr. Dean looks at your mouth after! I highly recommend Dean cosmetic dentistry! Thank you guys ! Awesome experience elaine stapletonGoogle review
★★★★★
Outstanding staff very helpful and a dentist that really knows his stuff. Great experience and unbelievable service and Doc expertise and special care GREGORY GGoogle review

Common questions

What people ask before they book.

Do you take my insurance?

We take most major insurances, including Aetna, Anthem BCBS, CIGNA, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Principal, UMR and United Healthcare. If you do not see yours in the list above, call the office on (865) 539-1119. Chances are good we accept yours as well.

I do not have dental insurance. What can I do?

Join the membership plan. One yearly fee covers your cleanings, all periodic, comprehensive and emergency exams, intraoral digital x-rays and fluoride, plus 15% off all dental procedures. Adult Basic is $460 a year and Child is $399. CareCredit financing is available too, subject to approval.

Can I really get a crown in one visit?

Usually, yes. CEREC scans the tooth, designs the crown on screen and mills it here while you wait, and the whole process takes about an hour. There is no temporary and no second visit. The same system makes inlays, onlays and most three-unit bridges.

Does the Solea laser mean no needle?

Often. Solea is a computer-guided CO2 laser used on both teeth and gums, and it is virtually free of noise and vibration. Some hard and soft tissue procedures are done here with no anesthesia at all, so you can go straight back to work.

What do new patients get?

A New Patient Welcome Package: credit towards custom-made whitening trays and whitening solution, or a custom-designed splint, night guard or retainer, whichever you need. It applies once your first appointment is complete and your account is in good standing.

It has been years since I saw a dentist.

There is no judgment here if it has been a while since your last check-up. We will meet you where you are, with care that makes sense for you.

When are you open, and where are you?

Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm. We are at 121 Capital Dr. in West Knoxville, just off Kingston Pike. Take the Pellissippi Parkway (140) exit and turn left onto Kingston Pike. After hours, use the form below and we will call you back during office hours.

The podcast

The Dean Cosmetic Dentistry Podcast.

A weekly chat about dental health and technology, hosted by Margaret Dean. Listen on your favourite podcast service, or on the practice’s own site.

  1. September 24, 2026Relief for Morning Jaw Pain: Solutions for Teeth Grinding
  2. September 17, 2026Making Quality Dental Care Fit Your Family Budget
  3. September 10, 2026Protecting Your Foundation: The Truth About Gum Health

All episodes →

Visit us

Just off Kingston Pike, in West Knoxville.

Address
121 Capital Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37922

Take the Pellissippi Parkway (140) exit and turn left onto Kingston Pike.
Hours
Monday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Tell us what you need, and we will call you back.

Fill out the form or call us today. Our team is ready to help. Existing patients: please do not send private health information through this form.

✓ Most major insurance ✓ Membership plans ✓ Crowns in one visit