User`s guide

ManualsBrandsAir Techniques ManualsDigital CameraVistaCam Omni IC4

An intraoral camera allows patients to see their mouths as we see

them, up close and in living color. We can show patients carious

lesions, fracture lines, leaking margins on old restorations, calcu-

lus, plaque, and exposed dentin when the enamel has been worn

away due to bruxing. It is a marvelous educational tool that is eas-

ily learned and incorporated into the dental office environment by

the entire staff.

Giving patients the ability to see their own mouths really

brings the concept of co-diagnosis alive. Ownership of any prob-

lem is now transferred to the patient, where it belongs in the first

place. When a patient can see his/her own mouth, aggressive sales-

manship is less necessary (and probably less desirable in any

situation). This means that you won’t have to spend so much time

listening to the practice management “gurus” who keep trying to

teaching us those trite phrases which should be used to “close the

sale.”

Often, we will see a molar that has been previously restored

with amalgam and now has fractures all through the enamel.

Radiographically, this restoration might look quite small, but you

know there will be a battle with the insurance carrier over whether

the cusps should be covered or not. All of these systems can

accommodate a printer that produces a hard copy of the tooth

captured by the camera so it can be sent to the insurance compa-

ny in lieu of, or in addition to, a radiograph. With a computerized

system, this process becomes even easier. The insurance form, dig-

ital x-ray, and intraoral camera image can all be sent via electronic

filing.

The uses of an intraoral camera are virtually limitless, ranging

from the hygiene room for recall exams, during the initial exami-

nations and consultations, and even during restorative procedures.

For example, a patient complains about a tooth that is sensitive to

mastication. The tooth appears to have a fracture line running

mesiodistally, but the extent of the fracture is unknown. You open

the fracture line with a small diamond or an air abrasion unit and

use a caries detecting dye to stain it.

Once the extent of the fracture is evident and visible, you can

capture an image to show the patient what you are seeing. The

patient can then make an informed decision on the treatment

options. In this scenario, the patient can feel good about the deci-

sion-making process since he or she actually saw the problem with

his or her own eyes. You win since you do not have to convince

the patient that there is potentially a serious problem.

This example illustrates that it is important to have this equip-

ment just as available as a handpiece. While stand-alone systems

may still have merit for small offices, multi-operatory, network

setups are definitely the way to go if you want high utilization.

System Components

Camera

Base Unit/Docking Station Usually sits in a nook in the cart,

mounted on the wall, or placed on a cabinet in the treatment

room. At least one system has a wireless docking station that does

not even require mounting and another has a USB connection

directly into the computer, eliminating this component entirely.

Wand/Handpiece Actual instrument that goes in the mouth and

records the images. Some wands have a set focal length while oth-

ers have a focusing mechanism to vary the focal length. It may also

have the capture button for each image. All should provide custom

barriers for asepsis.

Footpedal

Most systems no longer include foot controls, at least as standard

equipment, for operation, although there are still some holdouts.

A footpedal is just one more item to move if you have a stand-

alone system that is transferred from room to room. And it

clutters the floor. This is especially treacherous in the hygiene

room where the floor is already crowded with irrigators, ultrason-

ics, and handpiece foot controls.

Light Source

All the systems have automatically adjusted light sources to illu-

minate the field. The illumination of the subject is very important

for clear visualization.

Monitor

Usually, the bigger the better. But this depends on how far the

patient will be sitting from the monitor.

Printer

Printers are commodity items, with 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi

models selling for under $100. Therefore, it is easy to buy a high

resolution printer today. Once you purchase the printer, you

should try several settings to see which gives you the best images

for intraoral shots as well as x-ray prints, since you will probably

be using the printer for both, assuming you have switched to a

digital x-ray system. Using the glossy paper will also help to

improve the quality of the printed image.

VCR

Using a video recorder to record an intraoral tour of the mouth

used to be a common procedure, but most offices have discontin-

ued its use, especially if you are using a computerized system.

However, it is still an option if this format appeals to you. One of

the reasons moving video was used in the past was that still images

take away the ability to show a patient what happens when you

gently probe a pocket and it begins to bleed profusely. Or, when

you are examining a carious pit, showing the patient how the

explorer actually “sticks” in the soft decay.

Computer

Buy the fastest model and as much memory as you can afford.

With the computerized systems, you don’t need any type of

recorder, since you save the images on the hard drive of the com-

puter for recall whenever you need them. You can also do a video

tour of the mouth through the computer.

Cart

If you plan to move the system from room to room, you will need

a cart. The best ones are customized to your system and hide all

the cords. The only exception will be that if your office is net-

worked or if you have a docking station in each room, you would

only have to move the camera.

Intraoral Cameras