Dental care has changed significantly with the help of innovative technologies. The intraoral camera is one such breakthrough that has become an invaluable tool for many different reasons. With an intraoral camera, dentists can get clear images of your teeth and gums for more accurate dental records.
Intraoral cameras also make dental care a more engaging experience by showing you a view of your teeth you’ve likely never seen before. Dentists can use the camera to keep you informed about your oral health with helpful visual aids. The applications of intraoral cameras are numerous, paving the way for more effective dental treatments in the future.
What is an Intraoral Camera?
The first intraoral camera patents appeared in the 1980s, and since then, this technology has become a fundamental tool in dental offices around the world. The device itself consists of a hand-held wand with a camera attached to the end.
The video feed from the camera is transmitted to a nearby screen that you and your dentist can view simultaneously. Aside from taking video, an intraoral camera can also create high-resolution photographs for later analysis. Here are some of the many advantages of using intraoral cameras in dentistry:
- Fast, Comfortable & Effective Diagnosis: Intraoral cameras allow dental care professionals to perform thorough examinations more efficiently. Dentists can use this technology to accurately diagnose oral health problems faster, making appointments shorter and less frequent. Oral examinations usually involve using a small mirror and a dental pick, often requiring patients to hold their mouth open for extended periods. Using an intraoral camera also causes no discomfort and is ideal for examining sensitive areas of the mouth. If you have a toothache, an intraoral camera can make inspecting the problem virtually pain-free. It’s also an excellent option for examining the teeth of younger patients without the need for sharp dental tools.
- More Accurate Treatment: The high-resolution images captured by an intraoral camera make it easier for dentists to reveal oral health issues earlier. Footage gathered can also improve oral hygiene planning and help plan future dental treatments. Intraoral cameras can magnify images well beyond what the human eye can detect, bringing the tiniest detail into pristine focus.
- Education Clarity – Understanding Your Options: With an intraoral camera, your dentists can show any plaque, cavities, or other problems they’re seeing in real time. In many cases, the camera can uncover subtle details that are difficult to see otherwise. Watching how your dentist works gives you step-by-step information so that you can make more informed decisions about your oral health. Additionally, keeping a record of previous images allows your dentist to monitor the progression of your oral health with more precision. For insurance purposes, intraoral camera photographs can provide the clear-cut information needed to streamline the approval process.
Are Intraoral Cameras Safe?
There are no risks associated with intraoral cameras when they are handled by a professional. Before each use, a plastic protector is placed over the device to protect against germs. The camera allows your dentist to perform an examination that is both comfortable and convenient. It can zoom in and out and avoid triggering the gag reflex or irritating sensitive tissue.
Restoring Optimal Oral Health
The advent of the intraoral camera has proven to be an invaluable resource for dental professionals today. It’s easy to argue that this technology has completely revolutionized the world of modern dentistry. The ability to share observations with your dentist during examinations has made oral health more accessible and transparent than ever before. Thanks to intraoral camera technology, dental care is more precise, efficient, and effective.
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What Can Intraoral Cameras Do? first appeared on
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