What Is an Intraoral Camera?
An intraoral camera is a small diagnostic tool we use to provide a more comprehensive dental examination. By utilizing this small, pen-like tool, our board-certified pediatric dentists can often gain a more detailed, high-resolution view of your child's mouth. An intraoral camera can capture all angles of the gums and teeth and take live videos and images that will be displayed on our computer monitor. Additionally, it may provide a more accurate diagnosis and help you to fully understand your child's dental health. While digital x-rays offer a diagnostic view of the internal portions of your child's mouth, our intraoral camera system may also be used during a procedure or routine exam to provide our team with a better visual of the surfaces of your child's teeth, including cracks, wear, and cavities around dental restorations. During your child's initial consultation at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our team may use an intraoral camera to bring the highest level of care to their smile.
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What Are the Benefits of an Intraoral Camera?
At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, performing dental exams with an intraoral camera brings numerous benefits that improve detection and care outcomes. These advantages comprise:
- Displaying clear images of hard-to-reach areas of your mouth
- Helping to correctly discover dental problems early
- Offering images that help you more thoroughly comprehend your oral well-being
- Allowing for more rapid treatment of oral issues
- Thwarting more expensive and large-scale care at a later time
- Offering precise images that help elevate the fulfillment of treatment
Am I A Candidate for Intraoral Camera Use?
Intraoral cameras are safe and noninvasive and are very similar to any normal camera used to take pictures. Utilizing an intraoral camera to examine the gums and teeth can be considerably beneficial for every dental patient. It can help you and your child better visualize their dental health needs by generating a magnified view of any concerns. A helpful tool for both our patients and team, intraoral cameras provide a more accurate and often earlier diagnosis for treatment needs, allowing for a more conservative and cost-effective approach to care.
How are Intraoral images taken?
Having a shape and size similar to a pen, an intraoral camera is a versatile instrument that will transmit live video and real-time images from the mouth to our in-room computer screen. Our dentists will glide the camera over the gums and teeth while examining a magnified view on our monitor. We will also have the ability to capture images that will be used in a more intensive evaluation and save these pictures in your child's chart. By generating a magnified diagnostic image, our team can better determine the best course of care and help you make educated treatment decisions regarding your child's unique oral health needs. Intraoral images can ultimately help you have a greater understanding of your child's oral health.
How Are Intraoral Images Used?
When a problem is discovered with the intraoral camera, one of our dentists will talk with you regarding the proper treatment options available to address it. After a plan has been confirmed, you may need to schedule a follow-up appointment at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates to start your child's treatment. In a number of cases, intraoral cameras are beneficial in catching an issue in the early stages so your child's treatment may take less time to complete and be less invasive. The camera can also be utilized during the procedure to enhance treatment success.
Does Insurance Cover Intraoral Imaging?
Prior to your examination or treatment, our staff will get in touch with your insurer to ascertain any out-of-pocket expenses for your child's care. We also routinely send intraoral images along with insurance claims to help maximize coverage for our patients. Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates accepts a wide array of payment options to help make your family's dental visits as cost-effective as possible.
Intraoral Camera FAQ
How big is an intraoral camera?
The intraoral cameras utilized by our dental team are very small, typically about the size of a dental mirror. Each camera is equipped with a light at the end, allowing your dentist to view the area they are looking at easily.
What can an intraoral camera be used to capture?
Intraoral cameras can be used to capture videos and images of the inside of your child's mouth to assess it for various oral conditions such as cavities, plaque formation, gum disease, a damaged tooth or teeth, or broken fillings.
How long does it take to successfully capture videos and images with an intraoral camera?
Taking pictures and videos with an intraoral camera is a very quick process. In many cases, these beneficial images and videos can be taken in a matter of minutes.
Can patients see the images captured by the intraoral camera?
Yes, patients can view the images captured by the intraoral camera in real time on a monitor. This allows the dentist to show patients any issues directly, helping them better understand their oral health and the recommended treatments.
Is the use of an intraoral camera uncomfortable?
No, the use of an intraoral camera is typically very comfortable. The small size of the camera allows it to fit easily inside the mouth without causing discomfort, making it suitable for patients of all ages, including those with smaller mouths or sensitive teeth.
How does an intraoral camera improve diagnosis?
The intraoral camera provides high-resolution images that allow dentists to see small details that might be missed during a visual examination. This improved visibility can help in identifying issues like small cavities, cracks, or early signs of gum disease that are not visible to the naked eye.
Enhancing Precision and Care
Utilizing an intraoral camera during your child's dental evaluation or procedure can offer higher precision and optimal treatment outcomes. At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our team of board-certified specialists is pleased to offer this state-of-the-art equipment to better serve our patients and help parents make a more informed decision about their child's oral health. To get more information on the benefits of intraoral diagnostic imaging, contact our office in Lancaster, PA and schedule an appointment with one of our caring pediatric dentists.