A Close-Up Look at Intra-Oral Cameras
Intra-oral cameras are used to observe areas of your mouth which are hard to reach. Using an intra-oral camera, your dentist is able to show you exactly what they’re seeing, by displaying images or video footage from inside your mouth onto a screen.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at intra-oral cameras and exploring the benefits of this technology for dentists and patients alike.
What is an intra-oral camera?
An intra-oral camera is a small, lightweight digital camera, which is shaped like a pen. Due to its compact shape, an intra-oral camera can provide images or video footage of hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, helping your dentist to get a clearer understanding of your oral health.
The camera also creates photographic records, allowing your dentist to track your dental progress accurately over time.
What is an intra-oral camera used for?
An intra-oral camera can help your dentist gain visual access to corners of your mouth which can’t be easily seen with the naked eye. This enables them to assess your oral health and diagnose dental issues such as tooth decay and periodontal disease, as well as damaged or chipped teeth.
By allowing the dentist to show you video footage from inside your mouth, intra-oral cameras also assist with patient education, as your dentist can talk you through what’s happening.
The images taken by the intra-oral camera can also be used to monitor the progress and success of your dental treatment, and may be sent to other specialists if additional treatment is required.
What are the benefits of an intra-oral camera?
Intra-oral cameras can provide a range of benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of oral health conditions. Here are some of the main benefits of using an intra-oral camera in dentistry:
- Enables simpler diagnosis
Using an intra-oral camera to view the teeth and mouth means a dentist can easily detect dental issues without the patient having to keep their mouth open for hours. As well as making diagnosis simpler for the dentist, this also results in a much smoother and convenient process for patients. - Prevents future complications
An intra-oral camera can help a dentist to identify oral health issues which may not be visible to the naked eye. Detecting issues early often means treatment will be less complex and costly, while also preventing future complications and ongoing damage to your teeth. - Improves patient education
By sharing the images or video footage with patients, dentists can use intra-oral cameras to explain oral health matters more easily and with greater transparency. Being able to see inside the mouth can make it simpler for patients to understand their condition.
You can now find intra-oral cameras installed in most National Dental Care / DB Dental practices. online at your local practice today.