Intraoral camera systems are becoming more popular in the day-to-day life of the surgery. Whether for diagnostics, communication with the patient or during the treatment itself – the areas of application are extremely numerous. Even for prophylaxis, the small “image wonders” include several pleasant advantages.
It is no longer the least unusual that a therapist in the dental surgery also uses the intraoral camera during the treatment of the patient. The camera is the ideal aid, especially for communication with the patient. Firstly, the status can be shown to the patient before and after the treatment. Thus, evidence of success can be shown graphically on the monitor by the therapist.
But also the individual steps of an extensive treatment can be presented image for image using the intraoral camera. This type of transparency by the dental surgery often leads to very positive reactions of the patient.
A camera system can also be decisive for the documentation. Should a court case ever arise, images from the intraoral camera of the areas to be treated can be used as proof of the necessity of the treatment.
The advantage of the digital technology: Images can be saved directly in the digital patient file, or integrated in the billing program.
Certain systems of intraoral cameras (e.g. the » VistaCam iX from Dürr Dental) also offer far-reaching diagnostic possibilities thanks to interchangeable camera heads. Besides the usual intraoral images, greatly enlarged images can be made with an interchangeable macro head which can be used to make the smallest caries lesions clear.
Heads with fluorescent technology also serve the caries diagnostics, which make caries lesions or plaque visible – e.g. on occlusal and flat surfaces. For the proof interchangeable head, the violet light of the LEDs of the VistaCam iX thereby activate the metabolic products of cariogenic bacteria and makes them shine red. However, healthy enamel shines green.
Approximal caries can also be gently detected early via intraoral camera systems. Here, Dürr Dental works with the infrared technology in the Proxi interchangeable head. This allows healthy tooth enamel to appear translucent. Caries lesions have a pale, non-translucent (opaque) visual appearance. Particularly for children, approximal caries can be diagnosed without radiation exposure by using an X-ray image.
Due to the numerous diagnostic possibilities for caries and plaque, the use of intraoral cameras is also possible for prophylaxis. The added value of the technology is not yet known to all prophylaxis employees. Here, it does not matter whether the camera system works by cable or is wireless with capture ring or foot switch. There is a suitable system for every surgery, which it can use to work successfully, and that also ideally corresponds with the ergonomic requirements of the therapists and the assistants.
Extensive technical know-how is mostly not necessary for the use of the camera systems. Nevertheless, Dürr Dental also provides training for intraoral cameras and the respective software in the surgery.