The use of intraoral cameras in daily dental practice can
serve numerous purposes, from patient education to attaching images with
insurance claims. Rapid advancement in technology and ease of use have greatly
improved over the years. Intraoral cameras are very slim and ergonomically
designed handpieces with a single button for capturing images of
difficult-to-reach areas in the mouth, and most are corded and can plug into
the USB port on a computer.
What They See
Intraoral imaging and education complement each other in the
dental practice. A dentist can show as well as tell the patient what they see. Many
patients are able to grasp the condition and are often willing to complete the
recommended treatment. With the use of intraoral imaging, the patient sees the
broken filling or recurrent decay on the computer screen.
What Insurers Can See
Many individuals want only to
do a treatment that dental insurance will help pay for. One way to aid in the preauthorization
process is to provide an intraoral image to the insurance carrier. Submitting
the intraoral image may help the approval process of needed treatments such as
crowns and even periodontal therapy.
'Watching' Disease Progression
Dentists and hygienists see numerous patients every day and often find areas to "watch". These
include soft-tissue lesions, incipient decay, or other concerns. One great way
to monitor these areas is with an intraoral image to refer to at each following
dental visit. Having the ability to compare photographs side by side and evaluate
and monitor changes creates a standard of care that is valuable in any dental
practice.
New patients
New-patient visits for preliminary records, radiographs, and
periodontal charting can add in intraoral images for a more complete understanding of their dental health. It is very
convenient to add pictures of suspicious areas that will need future treatment
or monitoring, such as failing restorations, caries, and the general gingival condition.
Going over the intraoral images with the patient before the dentist comes in for an exam prepares
the patient that there may be work to do at future visits. The images give the hygienist
an opportunity to answer any questions they can before the dentist enters the
room. In turn, the hygienist can communicate concerns to the dentist to help
mainstream the exam and keep on schedule.
In dentistry, the saying "A picture is worth a thousand
words" is so true, especially regarding the use of intraoral cameras.
Using images to describe needed treatment helps patients visualize oral
conditions as well as the options to improve their smiles. Intraoral imaging is
not only used to identify fractured teeth or periodontal conditions, but it can also be used for areas of cosmetic improvement. Intraoral cameras are
essential for daily use in clinical dental practice and have the potential to
improve the standard of dental care. Contac the dental office of Dr. Steven K. Okamoto for a complete evaluation today.
No comments:
Post a Comment