A valuable tool for dental professionals and patients alike, digital oral cameras are handheld video cameras (about the size of an oversized pen) that are used to take actual pictures of your teeth with up to 25 times magnification. Those photos can then be projected onto a screen for your review. The device can also be used to give you a video tour of your entire mouth: showing you things like plaque deposits, decay, worn teeth and broken or missing fillings. Pertinent images can be printed for future reference in your file — or even for you to take home.

Prior to the development of digital oral cameras, some patients found it challenging to understand problems such as dental decay and periodontal disease. Now, it’s possible to display, pause and zoom in during a video examination of the problem area, so that patients can actually see it for themselves.

Advantages of digital oral cameras:

• You are more of an active partner in your dental treatment, seeing what your dentist sees and making informed decisions.
• You may be more comfortable asking questions and be better able to understand your treatment options.
• With a real-world picture of your dental hygiene, you’re better positioned to improve your oral health and hygiene habits.
• Powerful magnification (far superior to the naked eye) reveals the early stages of gum disease and cavities.
• Images can be captured and reexamined later to show changes in your oral health and hygiene or how a multi-phase treatment is progressing.
• Photos provide insurance companies with the proof they require to approve treatments.