When you think about going to the dentist, you probably focus mostly on the cleaning part of the procedure: Lying on your back in the chair while the hygienist and dentist make sure your teeth are clean and problem-free.
What you may not think about is exactly how the dentist determines what treatments you need. At Airport Dental Care in Austin, Texas, that’s where extraoral and intraoral cameras come in.
As dental technology has advanced over the years, so has our ability to determine how best to treat you. Here’s a look at how we use cameras and photos for the benefit of your oral health.
What are extraoral and intraoral cameras?
Extraoral cameras are used to take photos of the exterior of your face. Intraoral cameras are used to take photos of the interior of your mouth, including those hard-to-reach areas that are also difficult to see.
Because the cameras are now digital, they provide instant images that can easily be stored and integrated with other practice management and treatment software.
At Airport Dental, Dr. Brian LaBombard uses both types of cameras to document how your mouth looks before and after any dental procedure.
Extraoral cameras show changes to the outside of your face (correcting problems inside your mouth can affect the exterior appearance), while intraoral cameras show the interior changes.
Benefit: Detect oral problems early
One of the biggest benefits of the intraoral camera specifically is that it can help us detect and identify issues early, before they become bigger problems.
The camera can help find tooth decay and dental disease before they’re visible to the naked eye. Treating problems like these early is easier and less expensive than waiting until they’re full-blown.
Benefit: Improve the effectiveness of treatment
Because a camera can help provide a better diagnosis of your condition, we can devise a more effective treatment plan as well. If Dr. LaBombard doesn’t have all the necessary information, the treatment may not be the best for your situation. The camera helps remedy this problem.
Benefit: Document cases
Extraoral and intraoral cameras also help document cases for future reference.
A patient, for example, may want to see how far they’ve come since treatment started, or an insurance company may require more extensive documentation of a case. The cameras are able to give a more accurate picture of the situation than words can convey.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your dental treatment, call Dr. LaBombard at Airport Dental Care, or book your appointment with the convenient online scheduler. He and his expert team can get you on the fast track to better oral health!