Why Do We Take Pictures?

We are often asked what we are doing when we take pictures in your mouth. We use different kinds of cameras in different ways.

Pictured here is an intra-oral camera. This camera can take very clear pictures of your teeth. Your dentist can choose to take a picture of just one tooth or of two teeth next to each other. This allows us to show you and your insurance company the problem that we see. Perhaps it is a crack in or decays under an old filling. Perhaps it’s a fracture in a tooth. But being able to get a clear close up helps to document the problem which helps us to use your dental insurance wisely!

We also sometimes use a camera that looks like a regular camera but has a special lens on it to allow close-ups of your upper and lower arch. This allows us to show how your teeth fit together, and how the teeth look together. We can also pull the lips away from the front teeth to see the front view. If you need crowns, veneers, a root canal, or dental implants this camera helps you (and your insurance company!) to see the difference before and after.

We love to explain why we are doing what we do, so please feel free to ask your dentist or dental team member!