 |
||||
|
Issue #15 - 3.13.07
|
I Can See Clearly Now
As we have discussed in previous issues of The Dentist’s Network newsletter, there are a number of technologies that are becoming very popular. Anyone that was at the Chicago MidWinter meeting last week saw how dentistry is becoming a 3-D world, with advances in Cone Beam technology like the i-Cat and 3-D impressions like the Cadent iTero. Often forgotten, though, is that there are many high-tech items that have been around for close to 20 years that still are an invaluable part of the dental practice. Probably the best widely used of these is the intraoral camera, and while more than 50% of all dentists use them, it still is important for new practitioners or dentists upgrading their equipment to understand the current state-of-the-art.
Are IntraOral Cameras Still An Option?
In a word, yes. The biggest competition to intraoral cameras has been the plummeting cost of extraoral digital cameras. A complete extraoral system from a dental-specific vendor like PhotoMed can be found for under $1300, well below the $3500-$5500 cost of a high-end intraoral camera. The image quality of these extraoral cameras is typically far better than any intraoral camera; resolution is higher and the shutter speed is quite a bit faster. However, the main advantage of the intraoral camera is ease-of-use and time to see image. With an intraoral camera, you can have an image on the screen a few seconds after picking up the handpiece. With digital extraoral cameras, you need to turn on the camera, use retractors and/or mirrors, frame the shot, take the picture, and then download the image into your software. Hygienists and staff usually prefer the intraoral cameras because of this. I do feel that both systems are a great addition to any practice, as each has their own ideal clinical application.
Fiber Optic
The first and most popular camera systems on the market were the fiber optic systems. These systems typically use very high-end optical systems to produce the best image quality possible. The light source is in a separate “box” and there is a fiber optic cable from the box to the handpiece. Until very recently, these were the only type of intraoral camera systems available. While the image quality is above average to excellent in most camera systems, there are a few reasons why some offices didn’t find these cameras to be a good fit for them. The camera and light source are quite heavy and are difficult to move from operatory to operatory. Some of the original camera systems were so heavy that a cart that contained all the components (camera, light source, monitor, and printer) was suggested as the best way to handle this issue. As any dentist knows, though, when the camera isn’t a few inches from your finger when you want to use it, it’s not going to be used as much as it should be used. One of the solutions offered was to put a docking station in each operatory. While this made carrying the camera much easier, it added on around $1000-$1500 per operatory to the overall cost. The best known fiber optic cameras today are the Gendex AcuCam and the Digi-Doc.
USB Cameras
Because of the challenges of moving fiber optic cameras, a number of manufacturers in the past few years have developed USB camera systems. These cameras are typically very lightweight and unlike the fiber optic systems, the light source is built into the handpiece, usually a ring of lights around the lens. This allows the camera to be extremely portable and can easily be moved from room to room. Since they use standard USB connections, they can be attached to any computer easily.
However, like all systems, there are pros and cons. Because of the small size of the lens and the LED lights that are used, some people do not find the image quality of these cameras to be ideal, especially for diagnostic use such as locating a fracture or canals for endo procedures. Also, since all USB devices require a small piece of software called a driver to be recognized, the USB cameras will only work with specific software programs. You’ll need to check with your image software vendor to determine which cameras are compatible. One of the best USB cameras out there is the Claris i310D.
Lorne Lavine, DMD is the Founder and President of Dental Technology Consultants. Dr. Lavine holds two prestigious certifications, the A+ Certified Technician designation and the Network+ Certified Professional. These designations demonstrate proficiency in computer repair, operating systems, network design and installation. Dental Technology Consultants provide dentists a full range of services relating to the implementation of technology.
Dr. Lavine can be reached directly at 1.866.204.3398.
Interested in speaking to Dr. Lavine about your technology concerns? Email him at Drlavine@thedentistsnetwork.net
Interested in having Dr. Lavine speak to your dental society or study club? Click Here.