When you feel adept at moving the wand of your intra oral camera around the mouth while watching your monitor and taking pictures simultaneously, you can then add an additional step that will enhance the quality of your intra-oral dental camera images immensely. Making a dry field of view just prior to capturing your intra-oral camera images will dramatically increase what you and your patients can see.
Saliva and a wet field would hide or skew what actually exists on the tooth’s surface. Flaws and diseased regions will seem to jump off the monitor once you master the art of keeping your field of vision dry for intraoral dental camera photography.
Creating a dry field is much easier with two clinicians. If only one clinician is taking intraoral camera images, he/she may need to retake images that do get hidden with saliva. Even the most talented IOC photographer has to consistently contend with managing excess flow of saliva.
How to Create a Dry Field of View
1. Hold the wand of your intra oral dental camera and the air/water syringe at the same time.
2. Let the patient hold the saliva ejector in the mouth.
3. Air dry every tooth just prior to capturing an image.
4. Assist the patient in moving the saliva ejector to the next appropriate area as you tour their mouth taking photos.
5. Ask the patient to breathe through their nose to avoid lens fogging.
6. Some dentists may use a dry angle or cotton gauze 2 x 2 to aid in creating a dry field.
Though a dry field intra oral camera image is most desirable for educational purposes, be aware that dealing with saliva to create a dry field can take up a significant amount of time. Continue being mindful of your schedule, and do not forget to be diligent with the other clinical duties that you will have to do.
Intra-oral dental camera imaging can be rewarding, but also frustrating; and it can be very laborious initially. You might even suggest rescheduling a patient for a more comprehensive intra-oral camera and physical examination if you see the need for a more extensive evaluation. Remain on track with your schedule, and advise the patient if more time is required for all the essential diagnostics.