Intraoral Photography
Intraoral cameras are small, pen-shaped devices that the team at San Diego Premier Dental Group may use to get a closer look at your oral health. These tiny cameras capture digital images of your teeth and gums, giving Dr. Dena a better view of your mouth, with angles that are hard to see with the naked eye. We can instantly see the images from the intraoral camera on a screen in the treatment room, which allows us to discuss the images immediately. We can also use the images to help you understand why we recommend certain treatments.
Using intraoral photography, we can almost instantly detect a variety of oral health issues and nonissues, including the following:
o Tooth decay and cavities
o Plaque and calculus build-up
o Gum disease
o Cracked teeth and fillings
o Tooth and gum abnormalities
o Healthy areas of the mouth
Unlike digital dental X-rays, intraoral photography is not necessary for all patients and it is not needed at every check-up. If we decide to take photos of your mouth, Dr. Dena will be happy to explain why intraoral photography is the right choice for your oral health.
How It Works
Although intraoral cameras are much smaller than regular cameras, they work in the same way. We may ask you to hold certain positions so that we can capture a great shot with sufficient lighting and an appropriate angle. Sometimes we will use retractors, mirrors, and other devices to pull away from your cheek and tongue, fully exposing the teeth. The process is quick, safe, and easy.The Benefits of Intraoral Photography
Unlike X-rays, pictures captured through intraoral photography are easy for everyone to understand because they mimic what we see naturally with our own two eyes. They make it easier for Dr. Dena to explain any current oral health issues and treatments with patients.
Intraoral photography can be shared with other dentists, healthcare professionals, and insurance agencies if necessary. The images are helpful as documentation so that we can see the progress or the decline of your oral health over time. In addition, they’re useful for capturing “before and after” shots during a cosmetic dentistry treatment.
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We hope that you’ll agree that new technology like intraoral photography has greatly improved the patient experience during a dentist appointment. If it has been over six months since your last visit to the dentist, we invite you to contact our office today for a check-up. 
