Perhaps you've heard about it from a friend or you may have seenit on the Discovery Channel; but what is Intraoral Video Imaginganyway and what role does it play in my oral examination?
Several years ago the computer industry felt that the abilityto communicate was being hampered by the inadequacies of verbalcommunication. Most of what you listen to is either never reallyheard or else it is just too easily forgotten. Our goal is toinform you about your dental health so that you can make an educateddecision regarding your own care. Active participation in theoral health process is a must if we are to accomplish our mutualgoals.
Intraoral video imaging involves the use of a small camera witha fiber optic light source small enough to be placed within themouth. This camera is attached to a computer which allows theimages of your teeth to be displayed on the computer monitor.These intraoral images can then be stored by the computer or printedout just like a photograph.
One of the nice things about computers is their ability to storethese images in their memory, indefinitely. We can access theseimages whenever we want in order to compare one recare examinationwith another. At the same time, the computer allows us to sendcopies of these images to other dentists or physicians therebyimproving our ability to consult on issues that may be of strategicimportance. A picture is truly worth a thousand words.
Some of the conditions we can see with an intraoral camera thatare difficult to see with the naked eye include : various typesof oral pathology and lesions, broken fillings and other typesof restorations, cracked teeth, a variety of gum conditions andcavities in areas that are difficult to see and reach. You willbe amazed by the quality of the images and just how diagnosticthey really are.
Another intriguing aspect of imaging is its ability to use thecomputer to predict cosmetic alterations without ever actuallyhaving to touch a tooth. Close a space, change the shape of atooth or just see what your teeth would look like a shade whiter.It's all possible with Cosmetic Imaging!