Blog Category: Intraoral Cameras

How to Maximize the Use of Intraoral Cameras

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How to Maximize the Use of Intraoral Cameras

It is one thing to acquire intraoral cameras like the IRIS X80 Intraoral Camera for your dental practice and another to maximize its benefits. In this article, our Digital Doc team discusses how to maximize the use of intraoral cameras in your practice. Doctors worldwide have seen astonishing results using advanced dental technology.

Optimize the Installation

Some dental practitioners often wonder about which intraoral camera would be suitable for their needs. Without getting into the details of the different leading intraoral cameras available, the first thing is to ensure that you can actually use whatever camera you have. One way to use your intraoral camera is to install it where it is easy to access during any stage of the treatment process. Make sure that the intraoral camera is within reach in your operatory. In this way, you or your staff will not find it bothersome to access and use that equipment. The good thing about IRIS HD intraoral cameras is that they are portable and come with rechargeable batteries, so it is easy to integrate them in the routines at your dental office.

Let Your Assistant Use the Intraoral Camera Before You Assess the Patient

One of the best ways to maximize the value that you get from the IRIS USB Dental Camera for Windows is by asking your dental assistant to take several images during the hygiene visit. Your dental assistant can take close-ups of the areas before you come to examine the patient.

In this way, you will be able to reduce the time needed to diagnose the patient since the dental assistant has already provided you with what you need to diagnosis your patient.

Make It Facilitate Co-diagnosis

Another way to maximize the use of intraoral cameras like the IRIS Intraoral Camera for MAC is by giving your patients a ringside seat during their examination and treatment. Beam each image that you take on a large monitor so that the patient can see what you see. Next, discuss any problem areas that you have observed and ask the patient for their input regarding the specific images showing what you are referring to.

This collaborative effort will increase case acceptance because there will be no doubt in the mind of your patient regarding the issues that need to be fixed. A bonus of this approach is that patients will be more likely to take greater care of their dental health because they’ve witnessed the severity firsthand.

Let the Camera Make the Case for Follow-Up Visits

As already mentioned, the images taken using an intraoral camera can transform your case acceptance rates a great deal. In addition to that, those same images can address the issue of patients not returning for follow-up visits due to a misconception that such visits can wait.

Your patients will start coming for follow-up visits if you use your IRIS X80 Intraoral Camera to capture images of developing or suspected problems that require monitoring before a decision is made regarding what can be done. The progressive images will show how the suspected problem is developing, and those images will give the patient motivation to come for those follow-up visits as advised.

Use Them When Filing Insurance Claims

Many dental care treatments and procedures are covered by insurance. Therefore, your administrative staff will file claims for payment once patients with dental care insurance policies visit the practice.

The images taken using intraoral cameras should be sent together with the documentation submitted to the insurance company. Those images will expedite the processing of your payment claims because the insurance company will see the proof of the issues or the treatment received by a policyholder. Consequently, you will save the time and effort that would have been lost in back and forth communication with the insurance company over pending claims.

As you can see, we have just touched on a few aspects of the treatment process where the intraoral camera can be instrumental to your dental office. Use the suggestions above as guidelines for implementing dental cameras into your practice. Soon, you will see results in your patients’ treatments and your practice. Contact Digital Doc today to schedule a virtual demonstration and learn everything you need to know about our products.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination to Patients

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination to Patients 2021

Using Digital Doc’s LuM Transillumination device is a true game-changer for dentists. However, it can be quite confusing for patients who aren’t familiar with advanced dental technology. In this article, we’re discussing how your team should be explaining the benefits of transillumination to patients.

How is a Dental Transillumination test performed?

A dental transillumination test is identical to a standard x-ray. When a patient appears for the test, the dentist will first place a disposable mouthpiece over their tooth. A light will then be shone through the tooth using the test device. The image taken of the tooth will then be transferred onto the dentist’s computer screen.

The quality of the images can be improved by using technologies such as the LUM. The LUM uses sub-enamel illumination diagnostic methods to improve the detection capabilities of the intraoral camera like those manufactured by Digital Doc. It is an easy-to-use device which facilitates instant detection and documentation.

The LUM applies a high-intensity light to the tooth, with unique positioning to ensure that the light travels perpendicular to the plane of the tooth. If a tooth has no impurities, the light will travel uninterrupted from the buccal surface to the lingual. However, the light is dispersed if the tooth has impurities such as fractures or leaking amalgam.

How long does a Dental Transillumination test take?

A dental transillumination test will be performed within a few minutes. The purpose of dental transillumination is similar to a standard x-ray, however, the difference is that dental transillumination is computer-based while x-rays are film-based. The images taken during a dental transillumination test are projected on a computer screen as they are taken. Our friend Dr. Hoang, a dentist in Bethlehem, GA, highly recommends having HD televisions in every operatory for this exact reason.

Benefits of Dental Transillumination

Dental transillumination tests can expose problems in teeth that cannot be found using the naked eye or x-rays. The light shines through a healthy tooth easily, making its tooth structure lighter, while decay appears as cloudy shadows in the image.

A dental transillumination test also helps to reveal any fine cracks in the teeth. It is especially effective in discovering decay under old fillings in teeth.

What should you discuss with your patient before a dental transillumination test?

It is important to have your patients give you a detailed description, the more information that is given, the better. If they feel pain in a certain area or undergoing some sort of trauma, then you need to know. Explain to your patient that this information can help you decide which treatment may be better.

Dental Transillumination is just one step of the treatment process. The more detailed and comprehensive the results are, the better the overall treatment experience will be.

If you’re interested in a transillumination device or any other Digital Doc products, contact Digital Doc today to schedule a virtual demonstration.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face

Challenges Dental Workflows Face

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face 2021

Creating the perfect workflow while growing your dental practice can be difficult for any practice owner. As the #1 intraoral camera for dentists, we know that these challenges have solutions. This article discusses key challenges dental workflows face and the solutions many practice owners have implemented.

Challenge #1: Lack of Awareness About All Equipment Features

Think about your smartphone for a moment. Are you aware that you hardly ever use half of the features of that smartphone? You may be using just a few features of your smartphone simply because you aren’t even aware that the other features exist.

Similarly, some of the headaches that you may be having at your dental office may have solutions sitting quietly in the equipment that you already have. For instance, your staff may be taking too long to troubleshoot your XTG Handheld X-Ray. Most of that time would have been saved if those employees simply accessed the self-diagnostic control panel of the equipment.

How can this challenge be fixed? Devote some time each week (an hour or so, for example) to reviewing the technology and understanding t how to get the best out of that you already have. Digital Doc provides additional training videos for their products, so you and your staff can easily learn how to operate an XTG Handheld X-Ray. The interactions that take place during those sessions will be useful in bringing inexperienced staff up to speed about many of the features that they never knew existed. If you’re still having trouble, contact us at Digital Doc.

Challenge #2: Failure to Improve Due to Satisfaction With the Status Quo

Another challenge to the workflow in a dental practice is the complacency that comes from knowing that you have been doing things a certain way and nothing has gone wrong, so why change?

The problem with such a mentality is that you miss out on easier ways to get work done, and your patients eventually start moving to other dental practices that have kept with the times.

For example, your staff could be taking longer to take dental impressions using the traditional way, and yet digital dental impressions using an intraoral scanner take just a fraction of the time and require fewer materials. Similarly, you may be missing out on the massive benefits of having the IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera, such as beaming the captured images on a screen so that patients can see the problems they have. The traditional way of taking intraoral dental images doesn’t provide such aid to case acceptance.

It is therefore wise for you to spend some time studying the trends in dentistry and the evolving technology so that you can draw up a plan to continuously upgrade your equipment and methods to stay relevant in the evolving field.

Challenge #3: Thinking That New Technology Is Too Expensive

It is true that new technology can be pricy and one needs to plan carefully before making an acquisition. However, the price tag of new equipment should not be a reason for you to stay with outdated equipment, says our friend Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist in Grand Junction. Why? Because the quality of patient care that you offer will suffer and the dental practice may stagnate or even regress.

A better approach to take is to design a comprehensive plan detailing how and when you will upgrade different pieces of equipment. You can also talk to suppliers about financing options so that your practice isn’t left behind as dentistry goes hi-tech. In this way, you will effortlessly acquire sub-enamel illumination tools like LUM, the best intraoral cameras like the X80 intraoral camera, and many other pieces of digital dentistry equipment.

Challenge #4: Thinking You Don’t Have Time to Implement Changes

One of the easiest ways to be left behind is by getting so busy that you no longer have time to study what changes are happening in your industry. Your productivity will eventually suffer because you will be stuck in the old way of doing things when better technology is now available to ease that work.

For example, shuffling patients to and from your radiology room where traditional x-ray equipment is installed can limit how many patients you can attend to in one day, and yet the XTG Handheld X-Ray from Digital Doc can allow you to take x-rays within the operatory, thereby saving a lot of time and other resources.

It is therefore recommended that you take some time to stay informed about the changes happening in the dental field and set aside time to implement any needed changes.

Challenge #5: Your Staff Are Reluctant to Change

Human beings are creatures of habit, so it is normal to experience some resistance when change is required. The best way to bring everyone on board when changes are being made is by involving them in the processes that result in that change.

For example, show your staff how the new IRIS intraoral camera will make it easier for them to update patient files digitally instead of the old way that was manual and tedious. You can also ask the supplier of the new equipment to train your staff. In this way, the reluctance to embrace change will gradually melt away.

As you can see, it can be easy to address a problem once you identify it and set your mind to fix that problem. Work with the right partners so that the workflow at your dental practice is improved in a way that isn’t disruptive.

To learn more about our advanced dental technology, contact Digital Doc support. We’re happy to schedule a virtual demonstration and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Intraoral Camera

Why You Should Upgrade Your Intraoral Camera 2021

How long have you been using your cell phone? The iPhone 12 Pro Max is here, and the camera is the most prominent feature! Consumers are more educated in photography than ever before. If you haven’t updated your intraoral camera in a couple of years, consider upgrading to Digital Doc’s newest dental camera. The following explains why so many dental offices are upgrading their intraoral cameras to Digital Doc’s IRIS X80 intraoral camera.

Dental Camera with Better Focusing System

Many of the existing digital intraoral cameras on the market require users to manually focus the camera’s lens before capturing an image. This manual focusing isn’t ideal, especially in a busy dental office. Additionally, you may have some low-quality images from not adjusting the lens properly and end up misdiagnosing the patient.

However, when you upgrade your intraoral camera to the IRIS X80, you get a piece of equipment with an autofocus function that takes the work of focusing the lens away from the user. As a result, you’ll not only save time but also have better quality images and accurate diagnosis.

The X80 is Easier Setup

We all know that it is more difficult to set up traditional dental cameras. You’re not only wasting valuable time but also affecting your patient’s experience.

With the dawn of the digital era, you don’t need to suffer all those inconveniences. The IRIS X80 doesn’t require any setup. Remove the camera from the box, plug it in, and start capturing images immediately. Needless to say, upgrading to the IRIS X80 with Liquid Lens Auto Focus and plug-and-play capabilities is a no-brainer.

Durable Dental Camera

Every dollar invested in modern dental equipment counts. So, it is important to buy only the best dental equipment so that the investment can be rationalized.

You can feel confident in making the upgrade to the IRIS X80 intraoral camera because it is resistant to impact and harsh chemicals that your equipment will deal with on a regular basis. This sturdy construction means that your office will have digital intraoral cameras that they can rely on for years to come. Our friends at Park Hills Family Dentistry, a dental office in Lexington, KY, agree that investing in durable dental equipment will save you the hassle of constantly replacing cheap equipment.

Taking Compactness to the Next Level

As dental technology has made rapid advancements, it has become easier to make intraoral cameras that are lighter, more compact, and more powerful, all at the same time. Having a lightweight and compact intraoral camera is crucial for efficiency and patient rapport. The IRIS X80 checks all those boxes, while older intraoral cameras may not.

Easy Integration into Existing Systems

When you purchase the IRIS X80 with liquid lens autofocus HD, you won’t have to worry about modifying your current setup or buying additional accessories. Our state of the art dental technology can be used with standard USB 2.0 protocol. In this way, you get access to using the best software available without having to upgrade equipment for the whole dental office.

As you can see, there are numerous reasons why it would be in your practice’s best interest to upgrade your intraoral camera to the IRIS X80. Digital Doc’s IRIS X80 will allow you to SEE MORE and DO MORE! To learn more about what this intraoral camera can do for you, schedule a virtual demo today. Contact Digital Doc to access special offers on Digital Doc’s advanced dental technology.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

The Durability of Your Intraoral Camera Matters

durability of your intraoral camera - Digital Doc LLC

The Durability of Your Intraoral Camera Matters

The Durability of Your Intraoral Camera Matters 2021

Most dentists have now realized the importance of investing in new dental technology in their dental offices. However, this new technology may sometimes come at a price. Know that the benefits far outweigh the initial upgrade costs. Our Digital Doc team shares the following are some of the reasons why the durability of your intraoral camera is important.

Dental Camera Durability Impacts Cost

When you buy a very durable intraoral camera, such as the IRIS X80 made by Digital Doc, the durability of this camera ensures that you will get great value from your investment. This is because the initial cost of the device will be spread out over the numerous years that this intraoral camera will remain in service.

When you divide your investment by the number of years that the camera will stay in service, you soon realize that the camera was very affordable, unlike another, which costs less but falls apart a few months after you’ve purchased it.

Durability is Often Indicative of High Performance

Have you heard the saying, “how you do one thing is how you do everything?” For example, a person who is late for appointments will rarely meet deadlines or fulfill their promises because how they do one thing is how they do everything!

On the subject of intraoral cameras, this principle also applies. When you choose your intraoral camera from a manufacturer like Digital Doc, who goes to great lengths to make a high-quality and sturdy intraoral camera that can withstand everything that a busy dental office can throw at it, you can be sure that everything to do with that camera was made with the same high standards in mind. For example, the optics system of the IRIS X80 Liquid Lens Auto-Focus Intraoral Dental Camera was designed with the same exacting standards that make this camera remain unfazed by being run over by a car, as shown in the video:

Running your intraoral camera over with a car is a true testament to its durability. You can count on Digital Doc’s IRIS X80 to work for many more years to come.

This is in sharp contrast to other cheap intraoral cameras that can break at the smallest bump with a wall or a desk. You can’t expect such a camera to deliver crystal clear images if the materials from which it was made are so flimsy, can you?

Durable Intraoral Cameras Stand the Test of Time

Dental offices are constantly bombarded with a huge variety of new technology that one may be hard-pressed to select what is really needed from what is just another shining object or toy.

The key to keeping up to date with technology without being obsessed with buying each shiny new object lies in selecting technology that will stand the test of time.

The X80 Intraoral Camera is so durable that once you buy it, you will be insulated against the temptation of buying every camera that is brought to your attention. Your precious resources will then be allocated to other technologies that you need at the office, such as a handheld dental X-ray device. This selection of a durable intraoral camera, therefore, frees you to modernize your dental office fully by integrating modern advanced dental technology and management systems.

Durability Increases Ease of Use

Pause for a minute and imagine two scenarios. The first involves an employee learning how to use a new camera every year or so. The second scenario involves an employee who has been using the same intraoral camera for five or more years. Which of these two dental assistants will get the best from the camera before them?

The answer is obvious, isn’t it? If you have been using the same camera for years, you are more likely to master that camera in and out, so chances are you will get the best utility from that device.

That is why it is important for you to buy a durable intraoral camera, such as the X80 from Digital Doc. Your staff will be so used to handling and using the device that they get perfect images for the diagnosis, case presentation, and treatment. Such expertise cannot exist if you buy cameras that aren’t durable, and so you’re forced to keep replacing them. Our friend, Dr. Dave Moghadam, a dentist in Easton, PA, agrees that investing in quality modern dental technology pays off.

As you can see, it is very important for you to assess the durability of any intraoral camera that you are considering purchasing for your dental practice. The IRIS X80 gives you durability and more. You will, therefore, be able to see more, do more for your patients using the number one intraoral camera in dentistry. To learn more about how to acquire an intraoral camera for your dental office, contact us today for a virtual demonstration.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

How Dental Technology Can Relax Patients

How Dental Technology Can Relax Dental Patients

Fear of visiting the dental office is an issue people face all over the world. In a recent worldwide survey of about 18k people, more than 60% of respondents said they were suffering from dental anxiety and fear of the dentist. More often than not, patients are avoiding their dentists altogether. Fortunately, new advanced dental technology improves the overall patient experience. Below, we explain how dental technology can relax patients and increase case acceptance.

Understanding Your Patients’ Needs

In the dental office, anxious patients usually show irritability, are not agreeable and are more likely to respond to pain than their compound counterparts. These responses are troublesome not only for the patient but also for dental professionals. In order to prevent unpleasant patient encounters and ensure quality treatment, dentists and their teams need to practice meaningful ways to assist patients with dental anxieties to help them resolve and conquer their fears. Here are a few ways you can incorporate these technologies into your practice.

Teledentistry

Teledentistry has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce potential exposures while keeping oral care, many dentists are utilizing Teledentistry. To learn more about Teledentistry, read Facts About Teledentistry.

Now that most Americans have cell phones, tablets and laptops are now fitted with high-precision cameras resulting in ultra-high-definition images; patients may obtain dental appointments from the comfort of their own homes without the stress and anxiety associated with them.

Benefits of Teledentistry

With Teledentistry, new patients will no longer have to waste time in the waiting room while you consult video instead. There is no need for dental assistants to donate and drop off personal protective equipment (PPE) for each new patient on board.

You may also have an extra degree of comfort and protection when it comes to periodic patient checks to monitor your home treatment or the healing of a newly implanted implant. There was no waiting room, no travel, and, again, no PPE required. Teledentistry helps reduce fear while ensuring their safety during a pandemic.

Virtual Reality

One of the most daunting aspects of dental anxiety that practitioners face today is the fear of the patient having to experience unnecessary discomfort during the operation. Despite advancements in medical methods and technology, the majority of people are still delaying or even fully refusing dental care due to the fear and anxiety surrounding the pain.

Doctors everywhere are putting patients at ease with virtual reality (VR). Of course the distraction takes away from the pain. By encouraging a patient to concentrate his or her attention on other thoughts, less attention is available to the pain.

Virtual reality (VR) uses advanced technology to create virtual environments (VE) that allow patients to immerse themselves in an immersive, simulated world. These sophisticated devices communicate with the VE at several levels, stimulating sights, sounds, and motion to promote immersion in the virtual world to improve pain distraction.

Our friends at Park Hills Family Dentistry, a dental office in Lexington, KY, add that studies have shown that patient participation in VE decreased their recorded levels of pain during dental work.

Advanced Dental Technology

Thanks to advanced dental technology, doctors are able to provide patients with a more accurate diagnosis, quality treatment, and maximum comfort. As a dentist, you need technology you can rely on. The IRIS intraoral cameras easily capture high-resolution images. You can show patients and insurance companies exactly what you’re seeing. As a result, patients are more likely to say yes to your treatment plan. Contact us today to find out which IRIS intraoral is right for your practice.

The XTG handheld x-ray device is another practice staple. Dentists everywhere enjoy our portable device that not only shoots pristine images but also has less radiation than traditional dental x-rays. The XTG comes with a shoulder strap and portable batteries. Taking dental x-rays has never been this easy!

Lastly, our new digital x-ray sensor, Blu, is your second set of eyes. Patients love Blu because it’s comfortable and noninvasive. It comes in two different sizes for maximum comfort. As you know, Quality digital radiography is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. That’s why we designed the Blū with 27 lp/mm & an active image area of 980 square mm.

All of our Digital Doc products are designed to make serving patients easier and more effective. Increase patient rapport and comfort when you implement our products into your practice. Contact Digital Doc today to learn how to bring your practice to the next level.

Tips for Purchasing Intraoral Cameras Online

Purchasing Introal Cameras Online - Digital Doc

Tips for Purchasing Intraoral Cameras Online

Digital Doc's Tips for Purchasing Intraoral Cameras Online

An intraoral dental camera is one of the best tools that any dentist can have in their office. Dentists everywhere agree that diagnosing treating and monitoring the dental health of patients becomes a whole lot easier with this device. Consider following the tips below if you are considering purchasing intraoral cameras online.

Do Your Research

As much as we would like to do business with you, we don’t recommend purchasing the first dental camera you find.

Start by doing thorough research. Not only intraoral cameras in general but also about the specific brands you are considering.

For example, dental cameras can be wireless or wired. Do you know the pros and cons of each? Do you or your team have a preference? Decide which type of intraoral camera will work best for you.

Your research also needs to cover the practice management software you use and whether it will be compatible with your office system. This transition will be much smoother if you can find a camera that works with your current practice management system.

Next, examine the specific features of the different intraoral cameras on your shortlist. For instance, if you’re interested in switching to autofocusing intraoral cameras, then the IRIS X80 Liquid Lens Autofocus camera from Digital Doc would be a good fit.

Dr. Green, a dentist in Parker, CO, recommends that you assess every detail and feature about each camera and finally zero down on the one that will make your investment worthwhile.

Talk to the Dental Supplier

Once you have selected a potential supplier of dental cameras for your office, contact that supplier, and discuss how their products can meet your needs. This step is optional but necessary because we at Digital Doc strive to customize a solution for our clients’ needs. Our goal is to help you increase case acceptance and patient rapport.

That’s why we’ve put together virtual or in-office demos of our products. At the end of this step, you can be confident with your purchase decision.

Order the Dental Products

Hopefully, you now have a clear picture of how many IRIS intraoral cameras you need for your office and the accessories that would go with those cameras. All you need to do is simply select the products you would like to purchase from one of our distributors. With your order placed, sit back and wait for your shipment to arrive!

With Digital Doc, your installation is made easy. The IRIS X80 intraoral camera is plug-and-play ready. If you’re having difficulties, our support teams are available to address any issues you may have. If this sounds like something you would like, contact Digital Doc, and we will discuss how your dental practice can benefit from the technologies we have developed.

Increasing Doctor’s Revenue

Increasing Doctor's Revenue

Increasing Doctor's Revenue: Tips From Digital Doc

Our job in dental sales is to bring value to the dental practice, to grow your revenue. The question is, where are intraoral cameras on your list of importance? No matter how long you’ve been in the dental industry, where do you place intraoral cameras on your priority list? I know you have a lot of things being marketed to you. Big ticket items like CAD/CAM systems, digital dental impression systems, extra rooms for equipment, etc. what would grow the doctor’s revenue more than anything else in the dental industry? It is the best intraoral cameras on the market.

We’ve seen a 10-30% increase in revenue in a dental practice with the adoption of intraoral cameras, but it’s the right number of cameras that does it. You see, most reps believe (and they are correct) every dental practice needs an intraoral camera, and that is the problem; having just one camera.

That single camera may be placed in a drawer where another person can’t trace it or the person with the keys to that drawer isn’t around, so someone who wants to use that camera can’t access it. Dental practices don’t have enough intraoral cameras.

Why Intraoral Cameras

So, why focus on intraoral cameras? It leads to everything else. If your practice sees a 10-30% increase in revenue because you suggested intraoral cameras and it’s the right number. So, what is the right number? Well, a camera on every single chair would be ideal. The most successful dentists have a camera on every chair.

At a minimum, have a camera per provider. For example, if the practice has two doctors and two hygienists, that would mean having four intraoral cameras. This isn’t because we are trying to sell more cameras to your dental practice, but it is what they need to see a double-digit increase in revenue. So when they achieve that, and we have a spreadsheet that shows monthly savings and incremental growth in revenue.

Practice Growth

When we talk about incremental growth, and in this particular example it is a $1 million practice having 10% organic growth in its business. A million-dollar business growing at 10% sees an increase by $100,000, and yet the fixed costs don’t change. However, your variable costs change. These variable costs include supplies and lab costs.

So we factor the variable costs in at 20%. That’s pretty reasonable, wouldn’t you agree? So take 20% off of $100,000 and that leaves $80,000. We’ve also factored in the cost of the equipment. That leaves $60,000 that the doctor is going to put in his or her pocket. What’s that money going to be used for? They are free to spend it on anything else that they believe is important on their priority list. For example, the digital impression system.

Oftentimes, we place the cart before the horse. We are talking about these big ticket items but we aren’t talking about giving dental practices a solution of how they can pay for those items. This approach of acquiring intraoral cameras provides a real way through which dental practices can pay for those systems, and it makes sense. It’s not a general analogy of “Oh Doc, just do an extra crown a week and you will pay for it.” That doesn’t relate to them. That doesn’t take into account their business or understanding where they are coming from in terms of how they run their business and the overhead they have.

Why Digital Doc

Why should you meet with Digital Doc? Why should you sit down with one of our territory managers? This is why. You want to grow your business by double digits? Grow their business by double digits, and it will follow. Zig Ziglar said it best; if you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want. So if you are focused on the business growth of their practices, the supplies come, the technology comes. That’s what we are focused on, it’s growing businesses. And we know the intraoral cameras are going to follow. Questions about our Digital Doc products? Contact us today to schedule a virtual demo with your local rep or visit our Digital Doc YouTube channel

The History of Intraoral Cameras

history of intraoral cameras - digital doc

The History of Intraoral Cameras

Overall History of Intraoral Cameras

Intraoral cameras are used in dental offices all over the world. They’ve become a very important tool for both patient rapport and dental treatment. In this article, we give a brief history of intraoral cameras.

On January 7, 1839, the Paris Academy of Sciences witnessed the introduction of photography to the world by Louis Daguerre. Later in the same year, Alexander S. Wolcott (a New York-based dental instruments manufacturer) used Daguerre’s concept to patent the first camera.

The newly opened world of photography immediately inspired the formation of the American Journal of Dental Science. This journal published photographs depicting the pre-operative and the post-operative condition of patients who underwent cosmetic as well as restorative dental procedures.

Analog Intraoral Camera

Fast-forward more than a century later, and the pioneer intraoral camera (IOC) was launched towards the end of the 1980s. This analog intraoral camera system was the outcome of work done by a California-based company called Fuju Optical Systems, and they secured a patent for the IOC in July 1987. With their patent in hand, the company wasted no time in launching DentaCam later in 1987.

Endoscopic Hand Piece

The next groundbreaking development regarding intraoral cameras came in 1989 when another company introduced an advanced intraoral camera that featured an endoscopic handpiece. This was an exciting development in the dental world because never before had a dental camera had a micro-camera with its own source of light.

Dental Cameras Then

For years to come, the intraoral camera with a dental endoscope was the camera of choice in dentistry. Their quick adoption was partly due to the widespread use of endoscopes in gastroenterology.

Other fields of medicine also made use of endoscopes and other imaging systems as various software systems to enhance images became available.

Needless to say, those earlier versions of intraoral cameras were very expensive (a unit went for about $40,000), bulky, and cumbersome to operate. Just to give you an idea of how rudimentary those systems were, they had a large video processor box, a handpiece, a dedicated computer (equipped with a floppy disc drive used to save and transfer still images), and a VCR used to view video images. Dr. Ben Kacos, a Shreveport Dentist, has seen these intraoral cameras and he says that they’re massive.

Dental Cameras Today

Over time, however, technological advancements continued to be made, and the intraoral camera systems became more affordable and more compact.

Today, a dental intraoral camera is just about the size of the handpiece of the IOC systems of decades ago. These modern devices cost just a tiny fraction of what those older systems used to cost. USB connectivity, HD imaging technology, ease of use, and other benefits of intraoral dental cameras have made these devices a common feature of dental operatories.

Another factor that has resulted in the widespread use of intraoral cameras today is their value in patient education. When a patient views real-time images of their mouth, the patient is more likely to accept the treatment plan recommended. Those same images will also be sent to insurance companies to show why a certain dental procedure is necessary.

The images taken using intraoral cameras make such a strong case that many insurers now accept images that are simply emailed to them alongside the treatment documents.

Digital Doc Intraoral Cameras

Today, intraoral cameras, such as those made by Digital Doc, come with a huge array of features and design options that include the following:

The variable or fixed focusing system
LED lighting
Corded or wireless connectivity
Angle viewing capability ranging from 0 to 90 degrees
Magnification of up to 100x

Using Intraoral Cameras in Your Dental Practice

As you plan to implement an intraoral camera system at your dental office, bear in mind the following suggestions:

Research intraoral camera brands and select the one which will be easy for you to integrate
Intraoral camera images need to be stored properly and in an organized way so that it is easy to retrieve them when the need arises. For example, the images can be sent directly to a patient’s digital file.
It is important to back-up the captured and stored images at an offsite location.

As you can see, intraoral cameras have come a long way. These advancements have made the provision of dental care easier, faster, and more reliable, all while improving patient satisfaction. Now is the time to contact Digital Doc and join the revolution of dental technology. Schedule a virtual demonstration with one of your local Digital Doc reps today!

Dental Advisor 2020 Top Award Winner

Dental Advisor 2020 Top Award Winner

About Dental Advisor 2020 Top Award Winner

The 2020 Dental Advisor awards are out, and once again, the IRIS Intraoral Camera made by Digital Doc has emerged as a Top Award Winner. Technology is always ever-evolving. The IRIS Intraoral Camera has been a Top Award Winner for eight years in a row, making it a testament to the cutting-edge technology and commitment to continuous improvement here at Digital Doc. Our team is dedicated to providing the best intraoral cameras on the market. Read on and discover what the consultants who evaluated the camera over a four-month period have to say.

The Consultants’ Comments

An intraoral camera is designed to be a diagnostic tool used by dentists. One of the comments that featured strongly among the consultants was the bright light that the IRIS Intraoral Camera has. These bright lights don’t wash out the colors inherent in the images captured.

The consultants also observed that the barrier sheath fits well over the dental camera. This sheath has no effect on the quality of images captured. Image quality is important to us at Digital Doc, so we put great care into the design of the sheath so that dentists use the protective component while taking intraoral images. Infection control is ensured if the barrier sheath is used consistently.

It was also observed that the intraoral camera is easy to operate. Coming from a team of consultants, this is high praise as they used the devices for four whole months.

The image quality also got wonderful feedback. The consultants say the images are great, and the photos capture the details of all extra-oral and intra-oral structures. All this high-quality comes from a camera that is “lightweight with a slim head,” as the consultants describe the IRIS Intraoral Camera.

Clinical Tips When Using the IRIS Intraoral Camera

To get the best from the IRIS Intraoral Camera, the consultants who reviewed the device came up with some tips. They first advised that dentists and hygienists, as well as other dental care professionals, should dry a patient’s teeth before capturing images.

You are also advised to install a cable kit in each of your operatories. This is so it is easy to move the intraoral camera from one operatory to another by the use of a mini-USB connection.

IRIS Intraoral Camera Features

IRIS, the best dental camera, has a sleek, stainless steel wand whose tip is narrow. This is designed like that so it can easily access all the parts of a patient’s mouth. The camera comes with a 15-foot cable, and this is more than adequate for work within an operatory. The capture buttons are strategically positioned on the sides of the camera wand. This allows users to use whichever hand they want, regardless if they are left-handed or right-handed.

The consultants report that it was seamless to integrate the camera with different dental practice management software, especially when the IRIS Intraoral Camera remained in the same operatory. The focus wheel has five positions for the user to choose to take a full-face image, one-surface image, two-surface image, a smile, or a macro image. Images exhibit trueness of color due to the LED lights which fully illuminate the field. However, the LED lights can be turned off if the intraoral camera user wants to capture an image of a dental x-ray, which has been backlit.

However, some technical issues can develop if you keep moving the IRIS Intraoral Camera from one operatory to another. 89% of the consultants who evaluated this dental camera found it to be better than ones on the market. They then concluded that they would switch to the IRIS dental camera. Only 11% said that the IRIS intraoral camera was no different from the existing ones on the market. All the consultants were in agreement that they would recommend the IRIS Intraoral Camera. This is based on their overall experience using this device during the lengthy evaluation period.

Add IRIS Intraoral Camera to Your Practice

The quality and usefulness of the IRIS Intraoral Camera are clear. It has been a Top Award Winner for the past eight years now and earns its great reviews. If you would like to learn more about how you too can acquire the best intraoral camera for your dental practice, contact Digital Doc today.