Back in the day, patients just had to take a dentist’s word for it. There was no way of knowing if dental work was really required and no way for dentists to prove that it was. Reassurance was a little thin on the ground.
Dental x-ray plates - those nasty sharp plastic things dentists thrust into your mouth before scuttling off to a radiation-free bunker - improved things slightly. However, they were still rather crude black and white images and far from convincing.
Now, thanks to intraoral cameras, all necessary dental repair work can be clearly displayed on a monitor via high-definition, colour radiographic images. While far from pretty, intraoral technology brings every cavity and abnormality of teeth and gums into stark, undeniable reality.
Not only does this reassure patients that potentially expensive dental work is required, it protects dentists from suspicion. The proof is right there in vivid detail.
Recorded intraoral camera images also come in handy for insurance claims.
An intraoral camera looks a bit like an electric toothbrush except instead of a brush it has a high-tech camera at the business end. Digital images recorded by this camera are displayed on a monitor in real-time for patients and dentists to analyse and assess treatment.
Just as importantly, these images can then be added to a patient’s ongoing health records and revisited if further treatment is required.
Insurance companies are notorious for not wanting to pay out, especially when it comes to costly claims for major dental work. Now, thanks to intraoral cameras, all the visual evidence necessary to support the claim can be assembled to alleviate any doubt and ensure payment.
While you can buy an intraoral camera for as little as $470, it’s unlikely to get its teeth into much detail. For higher definition and better functionality, expect to pay more like $2,400. If you want a top-of-the-range intraoral camera capable of viewing the minutest dental flaw, expect to pay about $7,000.
Generally, intraoral cameras are reliable devices with no major recurring flaws. Most issues tend to arise when a newly purchased camera isn’t compatible with existing software or the range of focus options doesn’t support all diagnoses required. Issues can also arise if the manufacturer’s instructions aren’t adhered to.
If dentists do their homework and match cameras to their practice needs, any ongoing issues should be minimal.
Intraoral cameras are designed to fulfil very specific diagnostic tasks within the dental industry and therefore can only be used by qualified dentists and oral care professionals.