Digital photography in the dental practice--an overview (II).

The advantage of digital cameras is the instant, digitalized availability of photos. The image quality has reached that of conventionally taken photographs, and for most applications, the digital origin of the photo is no longer discernable. Thus, digital photos are suited for immediate data transmission, for instance to the lab or a colleague. Similarly, they can also be instantly integrated into the practice's software and stored there. If one expects the same quality of digital photo documentation as from conventional photo documentation, then there is no alternative to the still-expensive professional digital reflex cameras, which are in the same price range as intraoral videosystems. These systems can be considered technically mature and suitable for routine practice applications. However, the advantages of digital photos can only be had at greater technical (regarding cameras and peripheral devices) expense. Amateur-class digital viewfinder cameras and reflex cameras without zoom lenses have only limited applications in terms of documentation, where they may supplement conventional photography. Before acquiring a digital camera, it makes good sense to draw up a cost-benefit list and consider alternatives. As dental practices become more and more computerized, digital photo documentation will also be a standard procedure of the future. In any case, it is worthwhile to start looking closely at these media now.

The ideal dental photographic system.

After the limitations of dental camera systems with regard to their lens and their flash unit are explained, a point-ring-flash combination is presented. The flash was tested in practical use and by systematic test shots. The flash combination allows the dentist to use a point flash or a ring flash alternatively. Nearly all problems in dental photography can be solved by using this equipment.