Intraoral Camera
Before you start imagining the dentist trying to put something the size of a point-and-shoot camera in your mouth, you should know that intraoral cameras are much smaller. The intraoral cameras are hooked up to a monitor right next to the dental chair. That means the dentist can instantly see what the camera sees. So, at Fast Braces® Fresno the full mouth scan for your new retainers can be done without you feeling any discomfort.
What Is An Intraoral Camera?
Put simply, an intraoral camera is a 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. This detailed scan allows Dr. Tom to create a perfect 3-D mold of your teeth to make your retainers. Unlike some other offices, Fast Braces® Fresno provides your new retainers within 24 hours (usually same day), preventing any movement of your teeth.
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 & comfort. We consider the use of an intraoral camera at our practice to be a part of our required equipment setup and are proud to have this powerful tool to ensure patients have a good experience and Fast Braces® Fresno has a permanent digital image on file for your future convenience.
How An Intraoral Camera Works
The camera wand has the lens and a light on one end, with a cord leading back to the computer on the other. The light on the camera is a very important part. Even in a brightly lit dental office, it can be hard to see the darkest parts of your mouth. The intraoral camera’s brightly lit images help us get a better image of your teeth and gums. An intraoral camera allows us to take great “before & after” pictures as needed. This is especially useful when putting a treatment plan together for your orthodontic needs. Images of your teeth taken with an intraoral camera can be printed out if needed, but they primarily live in the digital realm. This makes it very easy to add photos to your digital dental record. We can easily send images to your primary dentist who might need to be involved in your care during your treatment.
