How Your Dentist Uses a Camera

When you think of producing impactful photography, chances are that the camera your dentist uses is far from being at the top of the list. Although images captured by your dentist are not likely to hang up in a museum or art show anytime soon, dental photography is still significant and practical.

True, dentists must look in your mouth directly at times. How else can they see what they’re doing to your teeth? That said, they also rely on other tools to “see” your pearly whites. One such item is the state-of-the-art intraoral camera. This device takes photos of your smile, ensuring precise and effective treatment. To learn more about this kind of photography, here’s a summary of the intraoral camera, how it’s used, and its various oral benefits.

What’s an Intraoral Camera?

Per its name, an intraoral camera takes pictures of your mouth’s interior. It’s designed as an aid for oral exams and diagnoses.

Intraoral cameras only got their start in the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, these gadgets have become widespread in dental practices nationwide. Today, they typically look like hand-held wands with tiny cameras and light sources at the tip. This setup allows the camera to fit easily inside your mouth and lets the camera transmit video to a screen visible to you and your dentist.

How Does a Dentist Use an Intraoral Camera?

While an intraoral camera’s design looks simple, its use is more complex. Dentists must follow guidelines when handling the tool.

Said guidelines amount to a step-by-step process. First, the dentist must disinfect the intraoral camera before treatment by placing a clear film around the tool’s head during the exam. (This film prevents the transfer of bacteria from a previous patient.)

Next, the dentist inserts the camera into the mouth, making sure the camera is positioned for the best view of the issue. They take photos by pressing a button on the wand. The final pictures are then sent to a nearby monitor for review.

What are Its Benefits?

An intraoral camera may seem a little unnecessary. After all, doesn’t that little mirror allow your dentist to see everything? But an intraoral camera offers several perks for patients. These benefits include the following:

Oral Cancer Screening

As you might know, dentists often do oral cancer screenings for patients. Intraoral cameras are actually crucial to these tests.

You see, the camera is used to detect oral cancer symptoms. It’s able to detect the relevant lesions and tumors when they appear. From there, the photos are sent to a cancer specialist for better assessment.

Dental Patient Education

Many dentists use intraoral cameras for educational purposes. Namely, the devices help them teach patients about their oral health. Remember, this camera shows patients how their mouth is doing. By offering visuals, it lets dentists clearly explain how best to protect their grin.

In addition to simply providing information, intraoral cameras can also help patients make better choices in terms of their treatment. For example, if your dentist tells you that a certain tooth has a cavity, you may not necessarily believe them because the tooth doesn’t hurt. With the intraoral camera, they can show you exactly what they see and empower you to make your own care decision.

Dental Health Assessment

Lastly, intraoral cameras allow dentists to check ongoing treatment progress. Their photos indicate whether your teeth and gums are heading in the right direction. This treatment monitoring isn’t just useful for patients. The photos can also be sent to your insurance company as needed.

As you can see, intraoral cameras are great pieces of dental technology and can show the building blocks of a healthy smile. So, the next time you visit a dentist who uses one, try to appreciate their beauty and function!