How Big Is An Intraoral Camera?

An intraoral camera is a small, handheld camera used by dentists to show patients their teeth up close. It is about the size and shape of a pen or wand, with a tiny, high-resolution camera on the end, so your dentist can easily move it around to show you different areas of your mouth. Using an intraoral camera can be invaluable to patients and dentists in a few ways.

Early Diagnosis of Conditions

An intraoral camera has a built-in light and enlarges the video feed by more than 40 times. When focusing on areas of the mouth with an intraoral camera, your dentist can see your teeth and gums in much better detail than with their eyes alone. With an intraoral camera, dentists can diagnose dental problems like periodontal disease or tooth decay much sooner than if they had not used an intraoral camera.

Patient Education

Before intraoral cameras, dentists struggled to explain to patients what was going on in their mouths, like the effects of a cavity or teeth grinding. Now, with the help of an intraoral camera, you can see what your dentist sees. Your dentist can also pause the video, or capture an image, to explain problems and possible treatment options. This gives patients the opportunity to ask questions and become more involved in the examination process. Patients can also learn if their personal dental care routine is effective or if there are areas that need more attention.

Documentation

With intraoral cameras, dentists can capture images of decay or other conditions, which can then be printed and filed into your records. This helps dentists accurately track the progress of treatment or dental problems over several years. Then they can send these images to specialists, insurance companies, or other dentists you switch to.

 Are you interested in experiencing the benefits of an intraoral camera? Call Hale Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment!