Intraoral Dental Camera: Handling Techniques

It is vital to handle your intraoral dental camera with utmost care. The leading cause for repair of intraoral cameras is negligence or wrong handling of its wand. If you’re constantly moving your dental camera from one operatory to another, be sure you understand the right connection and disconnection of your camera wand or unit.

Forcing or jamming the connection can damage the wand of your intraoral dental camera. It is always best to read the instruction manual of your intraoral camera before using it. Also, you can ask for proper guidance from those who have been using the same dental camera for a long time.

When you’re not using your camera, ensure a suitable storage for its wand. Intraoral dental cameras with cords should be stored within their docking cradles. Cordless intraoral camera wands are smaller and less stable, and they also have a tendency to drop or fall when not in use. If you’re using a cordless wand, store it securely in a storage case to avoid accidental damage.

Steering your dental camera inside the mouth with ease may take certain practice. Normally, you will need to maneuver your wand while viewing your navigation on a monitor. Start by making sure that your equipment is correctly set up. Place a computer monitor within easy view. Turn on the wand so it is ready to use. Lastly, ensure that the capture method of your camera is within reach.

Intraoral dental camera systems come with a number of methods to capture images. A wand button, foot pedal, and remote controller are the most common.

Set-Up and Capture

Skillful navigation of the wand while watching a computer monitor may seem perplexing in the beginning. Turning the wand within the oral cavity short of purpose and stability can be extremely annoying.

Here are some recommendations to make handling of your intraoral camera easier and more efficient:

1. Pre-focus your lens for the type of images you will be capturing. Common choices are close up, full face, smile, or super close up. Setting the focus selection before you enter the oral cavity will lessen fumbling. Auto focus lenses will adjust automatically.

2. Set your dental camera to take either still images or video so that you can effectively save and use your images.

A well-organized method will enable you to expertly tour the mouth and capture images. By working on these techniques, your skill in using your camera will fast improve.

1. Using the patient’s teeth as a support for the wand, start at the most distal aspect of the lower arch.

2. Place the camera wand flatly on the occlusal plane.

3. Find alignment to the tooth directly above.

4. Drag or slide the wand forward to see the following teeth on the upper arch.

5. Ask the patient to open and close his/her mouth to enhance focus.

6. Roll the wand between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger to see lateral aspects of the teeth.

7. Lift the wand from the lower arch then extend the wand towards the left or right to gain full lateral view, and then capture the image.

8. Go back to the original occlusal plane position, and continue sliding the wand forward to view the succeeding teeth.

9. Repeat process for the other side of mouth.

10. Do the opposite for the upper arch to view the lower arch.

Keep in mind that staying disciplined in practicing these techniques will quickly increase your proficiency and skill in using your intraoral dental camera.