The 5 Reasons You Need an Intraoral Camera

The intraoral camera has more than once been referred to as a tool more useful than a dental handpiece. While there are many reasons to use one, here are the top five uses that make this an indispensable part of your treatment room.

1. Patient Education – Today’s patients are asking more questions than ever because they want to make informed decisions about their treatment. Using an intraoral camera allows you to show them what is going on. Seeing the same things you do makes it much easier for the patient to accept your recommendations.

   
2. Greater Visibility – The zoom on most intraoral cameras rivals that of a conventional microscope. If you are questioning something you see—such as a small hairline fracture—grab a picture and see it up close. This quick intraoral snapshot could change the outcome of your procedure.
      

    
3. Case Documentation – Many times we opt to “watch” a particular tooth, knowing that at some point in the future there will be a change that requires work to be done. With an intraoral camera, you can view images side by side to easily track the progress.
   
4. Insurance Claims – There are many times an x-ray does not show the true extent of what was going on with a tooth. Adding a digital photo to your insurance claim will guarantee to reduce the number of denied EOBs.
   
5. Professional Communication – There is no better way to give a specialist a heads up on a case than to send a good picture. For example, you can include a picture of a lesion needing a biopsy to help the specialist adequately prepare for your patient.