You know the importance of prevention when it comes to your dental health, and we’re always looking for new, improved ways to help you achieve a healthy smile for life. While X-rays provide valuable information, they don’t give a complete view of everything that is going on inside your mouth. With the use of an intraoral camera, we can see every aspect of your teeth and mouth with incredible detail, uncovering cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, and excessive wear. When we can discover oral problems early on, your treatment is much less invasive and much more cost effective.
One of the main hurdles of dentistry is that there are areas of your mouth that you, of course, cannot see. We're able to much more thoroughly acquaint ourselves with your mouth than you are, and we feel that's not exactly fair. After all, if you could see inside your mouth the way we could maybe you'd have less dental issues. Maybe you'd be able to understand more clearly your current dental status and what, if anything needs to be changed concerning your cleaning regimen. So, as an effort to level the playing field, we offer you the opportunity to see inside your mouth in as much detail as we can, using intraoral cameras. They'll provide you with an educational experience you'll never forget.
How Does the Procedure Work?
- Intraoral cameras are about the size of a pen and can easily be moved around your mouth by your dentist or hygienist.
- As the camera moves you'll be able to see what it sees on a TV which you can comfortably view from your chair.
- You might be surprised to find how big a difference being able to actually see inside your mouth can make. Using the images captured by the intraoral camera the dentist can point out problem areas and explain what he feels should be done to correct them.
Why Utilize Intraoral Cameras?
For some, actually seeing their dental problems firsthand might be a bit difficult emotionally, but we feel it's worth it. We want our patients to be as informed as possible as to any problems they might have, anything they can do to combat them and any procedures we feel might ultimately be necessary. The intraoral camera is a great way to help patients understand their situation. So if you don't want to be in the dark anymore concerning your dental condition, we are proud to help you. Understanding a problem is the first step to recovering from it.
Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are more comfortable with the high tech practice. Computers and TV screens are their primary method of information processing. Doctors utilize intraoral camera technology that helps enhance your understanding of your diagnosis. An intraoral camera is a very small camera. In some cases, an intraoral camera is just a few millimeters long. An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your mouth, teeth, and gums, in order for us to accurately make a diagnosis.With clear, defined, enlarged images, you see details that may be missed by standard mirror examinations.
One of the intraoral camera’s most important advantages is the ability to capture and manipulate an image in the oral cavity and save it to the patient’s chart. If electronic patient charts are not being used, the images can be printed and filed in the patient’s paper chart. This allows dentists to share their observations with patients so they can become better informed about their own overall dental health.
The images captured by intraoral cameras are used to accurately visualize problems with teeth and/or tissues, including fractured teeth or restorations, carious lesions, plaque buildup, and bleeding or inflamed tissues. With the intraoral camera’s technology, our dentists and their patients can collaborate on the right treatment plan to achieve optimal oral and dental health. Patients are now able to view potential problems along with our doctors while their treatment progress is effectively monitored. Sequential photos of the treatment effectively documents our patient compliance and improvement in their oral health.
With the use of the intraoral camera our doctors can examine the oral cavity for any precautionary symptoms that may indicate a health risk. This includes but is not limited to images of any problematic oral lesions, eating disorders, and other diseases that may be present in the oral cavity is essential to effective patient documentation.
The intraoral images captured by the camera closely illustrate the diagnoses and allow dentists to explain further to patients how to proceed with oral health treatment. This also allows dental care/ oral health care providers ti effectively demonstrate consequences to patients if the condition is left untreated.
Intraoral images can be printed out for patients to take home. Patients can then take time to consider the proposed treatment plan and hopefully become more motivated to improve their oral health.
Some intraoral software programs allow images to be modified in real time to illustrate proposed esthetic changes prior to altering the tooth structure. Additionally, images can be sent electronically to dental laboratories for a more accurate color match in veneers, crowns, and/or fixed partial dentures.
X-rays are an excellent way to diagnose oral health issues; However while x-rays provide vauluable information that we can't get from any other source, they can't show you everything that's going on in your mouth.That's why we have invested in an intraoral camera - a highly advanced piece of diagnostic equipment that allows you to see what we see inside your mouth.Using the intraoral camera, we can examine areas of your mouth that x-rays cannot show.
An intraoral camera allows our practice to view clear, precise images of your teeth and gums. These images allow us to make a more accurate diagnosis and develop a better treatment plan for each patient. A faster, more accurate diagnosis means less chair time for you! It also allows you to see everything we see and know everything we know!
Many patients struggle to understand why they need complicated dental procedures when they aren't experiencing any pain or see no visual evidence that the procedure is needed. Intraoral cameras allow patients to see the state of their mouths in real-time rather than being shown difficult-to-understand x-rays or listening to the explanation of the dentist. Instead, patients can see the doctor's diagnosis with their own eyes.
Intraoral cameras are roughly the same size as a pen and are fitted with a camera and light. The camera then transmits the images to a computer screen or television monitor. You'll be able to see right away a fractured tooth, abscess, or cavity. In the case of the intraoral camera, a picture may be worth more than a thousand words!
The intraoral camera is small, roughly the size of a standard dental mirror, and features a built-in light source. With this small camera, we can easily identify problems such as tooth decay, cracked or broken fillings, cracked teeth and signs of gum disease among others to help us create an effective treatment plan.
Images are easily shared and the systems integrate with a range of imaging and practice management software applications. They connect easily to computers either wirelessly, or via USB or docking stations. Most intraoral cameras employ LED, enabling image capture without external lighting.
Technological advances are alive and well in the dental community. Despite this, not all dentists use the intraoral camera. Are you interested in utilizing the most recent dental technology? Find out what type of equipment your dentist employs in the office. Should you discover that your dentist is using tools from yesteryear, it just may be that a simple suggestion from you is all it takes to get your dentist up-to-speed technologically.
Practitioners selecting intraoral cameras should keep in mind that:
-Higher-resolution cameras tend to capture images with better clarity
-User-friendly USB connectivity facilitates movement from room to room
-The capture button should be positioned to allow snapping of images regardless of orientation in the mouth
-Included software or drivers should be compatible with existing software
The most commonly used tools by dental professionals for clinical documentation, intraoral cameras have almost completely replaced the use of film for operatory photography. Zoom capacity rivals that of conventional microscopes, and most of these portable, wand-shaped cameras are digital, providing exceptional visibility for diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring over time. Instantly captured high-definition images enhance patient compliance and education by allowing patients to see what the clinician sees. Some intraoral cameras also can capture extraoral images, such as those needed for patient records.
In a nutshell, an intraoral camera is a small video camera that takes an X-ray of the outside of the gum or tooth. The intraoral camera resembles an oversized pen and although usage varies depending on the model-type, this image-taking device is typically outfitted with a disposable protective sheath for each new patient. While simultaneously viewing a monitor, the dentist inserts the camera into a patient's mouth and gently shifts it about so that images can be taken from a variety of angles.
First used in the early 1990s, the intraoral camera is still a relatively new piece of dental equipment. Not so long ago, only a handful within the dental community used this tiny camera to take pictures of the teeth and gums. Today, use of the intraoral camera is widespread. For those dentists who do use this device, the intraoral camera has been, and continues to be, extremely handy both in diagnosing dental conditions such as tooth decay and cracked teeth and in educating you, the patient.
Show and Tell
It's not difficult to understand why many patients have misgivings about dental diagnoses that aren't accompanied by pain or any visual cues that the naked eye can see. Since the intraoral camera is used in tandem with a computer screen or television monitor, your dentist can easily show you, in real-time, if you have a fractured tooth need gum disease treatment. In the case of the intraoral camera, a picture may be worth more than a thousand words!
The intraoral camera is especially useful during dental restoration procedures. For example, if you were to have an amalgam tooth filling replaced with a composite resin filling, your dentist could use the intraoral camera to take "before and after" pictures and display the results simultaneously for you to see!
In addition to being a great diagnostic tool, the intraoral camera is a fantastic educational aid. Instead of merely explaining to you what's happening inside your mouth, your dentist can actually show you. And, unlike conventional X-ray images that require processing time, there is no development time associated with intraoral cameras: The immediately available images that this tool renders can be a great time-saver for both you and your dentist.
Saves Time and Trees
Time-savings that come with the intraoral camera are especially noticeable when your dentist needs to take several X-rays at one time. Intraoral camera images are easy to re-take, print and duplicate. Printouts can be sent to dental insurance companies to strengthen claims, a benefit shared by you and your dentist. In fact, these images are so useful that some insurance companies now accept images via e-mail; the reduced paper trail cuts down on claim-processing time and is an environmentally friendly option as well.
Dental Intraoral Cameras
Designed to allow clinicians to capture and display digital images from inside a patient’s mouth, intraoral cameras are a valuable tool for patient education and case documentation. Shaped like a small wand, many dental intraoral cameras are highly portable and easily connect to a computer wirelessly, via USB or via a docking station. Most commonly equipped with LEDs, these digital cameras can capture images without the need for external lighting. Patients do not always accept treatment they cannot understand, but an intraoral camera allows them to see what you see. A problem such as a fractured tooth can be easier to spot and impossible to ignore when it is magnified on a computer monitor or TV screen. While designed for intraoral imaging, some cameras also can capture extraoral full face images for patient records.
If your goal is to increase your case acceptance, and therefore profitability, showing patients really big pictures of their teeth beats showing patients unbelievably quick radiographs of those same teeth.
High-tech guru (and all-around good guy) Dr. John Jameson passes along this information to us:"For doctors who capture digital images of the patient, as well as 'befores and afters' of other cases for consultation purposes, we have seen an increase between 10 and 25 percent in case acceptance."
So, for those of you struggling to gain patient acceptance of high-quality comprehensive treatment, an intraoral camera is your best high-tech investment. That part is easy. Deciding which camera(s) to purchase, how to integrate them into your facility, and how to take full advantage of their wonderful attributes is a more of a challenge.
The "inside scoop"
- The optics distinguish a good intraoral camera from a not-so-good one. The best optic systems are created by placing the CCD chip at the end of the wand next to the lens. This is more expensive than placing the CCD chip in the middle of the wand. When the CCD chip is in the middle of the wand, an additional prism is used to direct the incoming image farther down the wand to the CCD chip. The addition of the prism degrades image quality.
- Why do inexpensive intraoral cameras at conventions or trade shows often appear to produce an equivalent or even superior image quality when compared to higher-end cameras that may cost two the three times as much? Artifacts
Internally, intraoral cameras have an adjustment for pre-shoot/over-shoot. This adjustment can electronically manipulate the video signal by boosting the peaks and valleys of the video signal wave pattern. These artificially manipulated images display whiter whites and blacker blacks and create an "illusion" of greater contrast, detail, and quality. White areas in the mouth that are wet will appear to have black or darkened areas surrounding them. These darkened areas are artifacts and do not exist. Fictitious black or darkened spots on white teeth can lead to misdiagnosis.
Analog intraoral cameras vs. "digital" intraoral cameras: If the word digital is anywhere near a product name or description it has to be better, right? If all other features are equal, the fact that an intraoral camera is "digital" has absolutely no advantage over an analog counterpart, with possibly one exception.
All intraoral cameras use incoming light to create an analog/video wave pattern signal through the CCD chip. There are no digital zeros and ones streaming through the air that you can intercept with your camera wand. What makes an intraoral camera digital is the location of the digitizing capture card. If it's in the camera rather than in the PCI or AGP slot in the back of your computer, it's digital.
If you compare pricing, digital intraoral cameras generally cost more than analog cameras plus capture card. The "digital" intraoral camera can connect to your computer through a USB port since the incoming data is already digitized. The USB connection would facilitate your intraoral camera's connection to a thin client that is, in turn, linked to an ASP (application service provider). If you are holding your breath waiting for all your dental software applications to be Internet-based, you better like the color blue.
Key features to consider when purchasing an intraoral camera
Quality of construction: How does the camera dock with the light source? Does it appear capable of withstanding 2,000 insertions and detachments a year? Does the wand cord have strain relief or will it ultimately fray and create "water spots" on image displays and printouts?
Depth of field: As you move the wand inside the mouth, how much of the viewing area is in focus? Do you have to continually adjust the focus ring? Superior intraoral cameras require little or no focusing inside the mouth.
Artifacts: How much of what you see is actually there? The best way to judge an intraoral camera image is to have an in-office demonstration. Only then can you compare what you see in the mouth (under typical operatory lighting conditions) with what appears on the monitor display. You have no frame of reference on the convention floor to judge image quality and the presence or absence of artifacts.
As dentists continue their move towards a chartless or paperless practice, they are incorporating many newer technologies which assist in this goal. However, many fail to realize that there are systems which have been around for some time, but they have evolved considerably during the past few years. While digital radiography is getting most of the recent attention, the number of offices using intraoral cameras is estimated to be at least four times the number of offices with digital radiography! Most offices using intraoral cameras find them to be indispensable, so it makes sense to evaluate the various camera systems available to find the best fit.
Are intraoral cameras still viable?
In a word, yes. The biggest competition to intraoral cameras has been the plummeting cost of extraoral digital cameras. The image quality of these extraoral cameras is typically far better than any intraoral camera; resolution is higher and the shutter speed is quite a bit faster. However, the main advantages of the intraoral camera are its ease of use and how quickly you can see the images. With an intraoral camera, you can have an image on the screen in a few seconds. With digital extraoral cameras, you need to turn on the camera, use retractors and/or mirrors, frame the shot, take the picture, and then download the image into your software. Hygienists and staff usually prefer the intraoral cameras because of this. I do feel both systems are a great addition to any practice, and that each has its own ideal clinical application.
Fiberoptic
The first and still most popular camera systems on the market are the fiberoptic systems. These systems typically use very high-end optical systems to produce the best image quality possible. The light source is in a separate “box,” and with a fiberoptic cable running from the box to the handpiece. Until very recently, these were the only type of intraoral camera systems available. While the image quality is above average to excellent with most camera systems, there are a few reasons why some offices didn’t find these cameras to be a good fit for them. The camera and box are quite heavy, and they are difficult to move from operatory to operatory. Some of the original camera systems were so heavy that a cart containing all of the components (camera, light source, monitor, and printer) was suggested as the best way to handle this issue. As any dentist knows, though, when the camera isn’t a few inches from your fingers when you want to use it, it’s not going to be used as much as it should be. One of the solutions offered was to put a docking station in each operatory. While this made carrying the camera much easier, it added around $1,000 to $1,500 per operatory to the overall cost.
USB cameras
Because of the challenges of moving fiberoptic cameras, a number of manufacturers in the past few years have developed USB camera systems. These cameras are typically very lightweight. Unlike the fiberoptic systems, the light source is built into the handpiece - usually a ring of lights around the lens. This allows the camera to be extremely portable and to be easily moved from room to room. Since these cameras use standard USB connections, they can be easily attached to any computer.
However, as with all systems, there are pros and cons. All USB devices require a small piece of software called a driver to be recognized, so USB cameras will only work with specific software programs. You’ll need to check with your image software vendor to determine which cameras are compatible with what you have.
Compare the two types of camera systems in use before deciding on the one that meets your requirements for image quality, cost, portability, and ease of use.
ProDENT Dental Intraoral Camera
Our affordable intraoral camera provides all of the features and benefits you find in cameras that cost 10x as much. Top quality imaging chip and lens produces clear, vivid images of the entire mouth.
We understand how important it is that the intraoral camera you choose is not only the best quality and easiest to use, but also that it easily integrates with your dental imaging software.
ProDENT Intraoral Cameras are fully compatible with DEXIS & Apteryx, as well as reported functional w/ EagleSoft, PracticeWorks, SoftDent, DentiMax, AbleDent, CliniView, ProfSuni, Digora, and more!
Going to the dentist means seeing, hearing about, and experiencing a variety of tools that are unfamiliar to most patients. These odd-looking tools may cause patients some anxiety—we understand that. The intraoral camera, however, is nothing to be nervous about. This tool will cause you no pain, and you may even have fun during your exam! If you haven’t been examined with one and are wondering just what is an intraoral camera, scroll down to learn how it can benefit you.
Intraoral cameras (IOCs) are cameras used by dentists or doctors to show a patient the interior of their mouth, as an alternative to using a mirror. They were first introduced in 1989 and are now widely used in dental offices. IOCs allow the patient to see a clear picture of the inside of their mouth, aiding the dentist in consulting with them on various treatment options. Images can be saved to a patient's file for future reference.
The wand form factor is the industry standard, lightweight, compact, and maneuverable in the patient's mouth.Various design options are also available:
- Wireless or corded with PC-USB, VGA, RCA, or S-Videoconnectivity
- Lightweight (approx, .25 lb / 110g)
- LEDlighting
- Fixed or variable focus mechanisms (Dial and Slide)
- Magnification up to 100X
- Angle of view 0˚ or 90˚
- 45˚ mirror attachment
- Periodontal pocket probe attachment with scale for measurement
- Attachment for single tooth closeups
- Fingertip image capture or foot switches
- SD cardstorage
- Specialized imaging software
The short answer is that an intraoral camera is a tool your dentist uses to examine your mouth in as detailed a way as possible. The instrument, which may look like an oversized pen, has a camera that takes high-resolution footage or images of a patient’s mouth and shows the visuals real-time on a monitor—they’re like high-tech versions of the hand mirrors you see in your dentist’s practice. There’s much more to intraoral cameras, though. These tools are:
Better for the dentist.
Intraoral cameras have incredible technological features. With LED lighting, a head that rotates from 0 to 90 degrees, and powerful magnifying capabilities (some cameras can zoom in up to 100x), your dentist can examine your mouth in extreme detail. This means he or she can make diagnoses more accurately. The office can attach these photos to your health record to make tracking any changes simple. Additionally, because the visuals from the intraoral camera appear on the monitor as they’re taken, your dentist can discuss your oral health with you while you both see the images or footage. Which also means these cameras are . . .
Better for the patient.
Each feature that benefits the dentist also benefits the patient—maybe even more. Your dentist understands symptoms and conditions thoroughly, but it’s often difficult to explain precisely what is happening in a patient’s mouth using just a mouth mirror, which is small and hard to see, or an x-ray image, which takes time to print and doesn’t display images clearly.
When your dentist uses an intraoral camera during your examination, however, you’re seeing exactly what he or she sees right then. Dentists can display clear, colorful images, allowing them to point out any issues and discuss them with you immediately. You’ll certainly learn a lot about your mouth! And the more you see and understand, the more confident you can be when making treatment decisions.
Many offices will print or email images for their patients so you can refer to them at home look for changes yourself. Because these images are processed immediately, it saves you time.
Better for insurance claims.
If you want coverage for a treatment, your insurance provider often needs visual proof of your condition. Just as the high-resolution images show you exactly what’s happening in your mouth, they do the same for your provider, bolstering your treatment case. And again, because print or digital copies are so quickly available with an intraoral camera, it saves time for you, your dentist, and your provider, making your treatment run smoother.
8 Things to Consider before Selecting an Intraoral Camera
There’s no better way of showing your patients the problem with their teeth than with the radiographic images of an intraoral camera. Numerous doctors all over the world now use intraoral cameras for instant diagnosis of dental problems and also to gain acceptance for treatment from patients. It is one of the most advanced diagnostic tools available today and is considered a key instrument in successful health management by dentists.
An intraoral camera works similar to digital radiography. It helps oral healthcare experts to capture images of the tooth through a charged couple device (CCD) and processes it to create a viewable image. Dentists are further able to incorporate these images into the patient’s health record for further examination and treatment. It helps in educating patients regarding the status of their dental problem and the reason for the advised treatment. It also helps in earning the trust of a patient, especially in cases where the treatment cost is high or patients suffer from anxiety.
The Need for an Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera is an extremely useful dental-care equipment. It adds value to the dental practice and has now become indispensable for dentists worldwide. Here are a few compelling reasons that define the need and scope of intraoral camera in dentistry.
Surpassing the conventional microscope by miles, intraoral cameras offer exceptional visibility and reach the most difficult areas of the mouth effortlessly. In various instances where a practitioner may have doubts in what they see, such as a hairline fracture, a simple click with an intraoral camera can show every minute detail and help in making an informed decision. The amazing visibility of intraoral cameras allow clinicians to chart the future course of treatment based on clear images and understanding.
The biggest issue clinicians face with patients is making them understand the problem and need of the prescribed treatment. While dentists use magnification techniques to identify the dental issue, patients don’t really get to see the real state of their gums or teeth and are left with the only option of blindly trusting the dentist. Most dental treatments involve high costs, and because the procedures are often painful too, patients are hesitant to believe them. Educating the patient about the dental issue brings acceptance easily. An intraoral camera not only allows the practitioner to clearly see the problem areas inside the mouth, but also allows the patient to see the problem and understand the reason behind the proposed treatment.
Many a time, an X-ray report does not clearly show the true extent of the tooth problem. This may lead to denied insurance claim for patients. However, adding intraoral images to the claim gives the insurance company a better clarity on the extent of the problem, and therefore, considerably reduce the chances of claim denials. For example, in most cases a patient needs a crown because of a large filling and fracture lines. But, a radiograph often fails to show the fracture and may not clearly depict the actual state of tooth decay. Intraoral cameras capture the fine lines of fracture in great detail along with the tooth decay. These images help the insurance carrier in clearly understanding the extent of the problem and positively deciding the claim for the dental procedure.
Intraoral cameras help tremendously in cases where practitioners decide to ‘watch’ a particular tooth as they doubt that over time, the condition of the tooth may change and a dental therapy might be required. Intraoral camera images come as a great help in identifying and easily tracking the progress of the dental problem.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Intraoral Camera
Having an intraoral camera is crucial for successful dental practice, but buying a good intraoral camera can be tricky. Here are some factors that will help you in buying the right piece.
- Selecting the Type of Intraoral Camera
There are mainly two types of intraoral cameras: the intraoral wand and the single lens reflex (SLR).
The intraoral wand has the ability of being used inside the mouth, and therefore, requires barrier sleeves. The visualization and clarity of such cameras for the oral cavity is excellent. The images can be viewed almost instantly and it becomes extremely easy to operate. The intraoral wand cameras come with a docking station/USB connection to offer portability. This type of camera is highly effective in reaching the difficult posterior areas too. The camera also offers high-intensity light source and comes with magnification capabilities.
Single lens reflex (SLR) type of cameras come at a lesser cost than intraoral cameras and are thus, economical in range. A variety of automatic settings are available that make photography easy. These cameras offer extremely high-quality images and can be used in other applications as well. Budget plays a significant role in deciding the type of camera and although the SLR camera seems to be pocket-friendly, the high-end features of an intraoral wand camera must be given a detailed consideration before making the purchase decision.
- Integration with Present Imaging Software
To make sure you get the right diagnosis using an intraoral camera, it is imperative that it seamlessly integrates with your present imaging software and practice management software. When deciding which intraoral camera to buy, ensure that your overall workflow optimization is not hampered. If the camera comes with the manufacturer’s imaging software, then care should be taken to check whether the software works with the other imaging systems such as intra-oral sensors, panoramic unit, and more or if it is strictly limited to camera lens usage only.
- The Image Quality Requirement
The image quality of an intraoral camera is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective patient communication. The image resolution along with the other features (auto white balance, and auto illumination) add to the overall image quality of the camera. A high-resolution camera is necessary to avoid pixilation when the image is zoomed or viewed on large monitors. The aim is to get as close as possible to the subject and capture the sharpest image with the largest file size. Large file size can be converted to a smaller size but an originally small size file, when viewed as a large file, lacks the sharpness.
- The Focus of the Camera
The image quality is considerably affected by the exposure and focus of the camera. Generally, for a regular intraoral image, a fixed focus camera works fine. But for the smile shots and full arch shots, a camera with a wide focus range is essential. A fixed focus camera is faster as compared to the manual or the autofocus camera that takes time to adjust the angle. Fixed focus cameras especially work great in paediatric dentistry, wherein you need to get in and out of the mouth as quickly as possible. Endodontics too give fixed focus cameras an upper hand as the majority of the images taken through them are from close range. For professionals experienced in dental photography, a digital SLR works great and further expands their camerawork.
- Installation and Support of the Camera
While this factor isn’t taken much into consideration, it is definitely related to the long-term performance of both, the system and the professional. A camera that has a complicated installation procedure must have support providers located close to your establishment for any sort of urgent troubleshooting issues. You won’t want an installation problem every other day as it adversely affects your efficiency as well. Also, while some practitioners don’t mind the cables and wires and connection boxes, others are very particular about this aspect. When buying a camera, do take these small considerations into account.
- Intraoral Camera Capture Button
The capture button also holds great importance. It should be positioned at a place that allows you to snap an image regardless of the camera’s orientation in the mouth. Various intraoral cameras come with a swipe function that eliminates the need to physically push the button. Pushing the button can slightly move the camera when taking a picture, thereby blurring the image. When buying the camera, ensure that the capture button allows you to take the picture with ease and accuracy.
- Built of an Intraoral Camera
The built of an intraoral camera may not make a difference in the image capture, but a plastic or metal camera body defines the weight of the camera. While a sturdy body is required to ensure the long life of the camera, it is also important to ensure that the camera body is not heavy. A hefty camera may be difficult to manoeuvre, thereby hindering your dental procedure.
- Manufacturer’s Warranty
The high-end intraoral cameras are an investment and it is important to protect them against wear and tear. Also, with such huge purchases, the manufacturer’s warranty must duly protect the camera in case of damage and malfunction. Check if an extended warranty is available with the product. It is always better to protect your camera from future damage and related expenses by putting in a small amount in the present.
Conclusion
The skill of using intraoral camera grows over time with practice. The entire learning curve of adapting to the camera and taking correct fog-free images is not too long, but requires a lot of practice. Ensuring you have the right camera for your needs allows to make learning easy and interesting. Buying an intraoral camera is an investment that will yield you the trust of your patients and enhance the efficiency of your treatments, and therefore, it is significant to select the camera carefully to avoid future hassles.
Maintenance Guide for ProDENT Intraoral Camera
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Keep the camera protected by a camera sheath at all times (including when not in use)
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If needed, use a damp soft cloth to softly wipe the camera body only. Avoid the sensor/LED light area!
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Do not wipe the camera with benzene, thinner, Discide or Glutaraldehyde
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Do not spray cleaning liquids or disinfectants directly on the camera hand piece or the USB cable
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Use care not to allow liquids to run into internal circuitry
