Intraoral Camera

Advanced Intraoral Camera Technology

The reality is that many dental conditions don’t cause pain or visual signs that you can easily see with the naked eye. This sometimes makes it hard for patients to understand what the dentist is seeing that led to a certain diagnosis. Luckily, intraoral cameras are hooked up to a TV screen or computer monitor right next to the dental chair. That means the dentist can show you instantly what the camera sees. So, if you have swollen gums or a broken filling, you & the dentist can be on the same page about the problem, even if you aren’t feeling any discomfort from it.

Put simply, an intraoral camera is a small imaging device that captures photos of the inside of your mouth. In contrast to x-rays, which can show the internal structures of your teeth & jaw, an intraoral camera shows the outside of your teeth & gums in high detail.

Compared to dental x-rays, which have been around since x-rays were discovered in the 1890s, intraoral cameras have been in widespread use only since the 1990s. Once a few dentists started using them, the rest caught on quickly, as we realized how they could revolutionize patient care & diagnosis. We consider the use of an intraoral camera at our practice to be a part of our basic equipment setup & we’re proud to have this powerful tool handy to help educate our patients & spot problems such as tooth decay & damaged teeth or restorations.Many dental issues develop without causing pain or visible symptoms, making it challenging for patients to fully understand their diagnosis. At MyDentist, we utilize advanced intraoral cameras to bridge this gap. These cameras, connected to a monitor beside your chair, allow us to instantly show you what we see. Whether it’s swollen gums or a fractured filling, you and your dentist can be on the same page, ensuring a clear understanding of your oral health, even if you’re not experiencing discomfort.

An intraoral camera is a compact imaging device that captures detailed images of the inside of your mouth. Unlike dental x-rays, which reveal the internal structures of your teeth and jaw, the intraoral camera provides a high-resolution view of the external surfaces of your teeth and gums. While dental x-rays have been a staple since the late 19th century, intraoral cameras have become widely adopted since the 1990s, revolutionizing patient care and diagnostics. At MyDentist, we consider the intraoral camera an essential part of our diagnostic toolkit, enabling us to educate our patients and identify issues such as tooth decay, damaged teeth, and compromised restorations.

The intraoral camera features a small wand with a lens and light at one end, connected to a computer. The integrated light is crucial, as it illuminates even the darkest areas of your mouth, providing a clear view of your teeth and gums. Many dental professionals find this technology superior to traditional methods like headlamps and mirrors for diagnosing dental abnormalities. The intraoral camera also allows us to capture excellent “before and after” images, particularly useful when replacing old amalgam fillings with tooth-colored composite fillings. You’ll be able to see the significant aesthetic improvement that natural-looking fillings provide. Images taken with the intraoral camera are stored digitally, making it easy to add them to your dental record. We can also easily share these images with specialists, insurance companies, or dental lab technicians involved in your care, such as when creating a custom crown. Curious to see what your dentist sees? Simply ask us to show you using our intraoral camera during your next appointment at our Middlefield or Pharmacy locations.