Photography

Digital Imaging How Candid Use of a Camera Can Promote Your Practice

Dentistry Today June 1, 20038 Mins read1.2k Views

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For many years, the art of photography has been a useful tool to enhance the art of dentistry. While photography was primarily used for documentation of trauma cases, it also served a useful role for difficult shade matching of anterior teeth.

Previously, using a 35-mm SLR (single lens reflex) camera fitted with a macro lens and ring flash produced extremely good results. However, these methods required film developing and processing time before results could be viewed. This would pose a delay in completing a work in progress. With today’s digital photography, everything has changed. The good news is, it’s easy!

Use of a digital camera allows the photographer to take an image, load it into the computer, and use it with a number of applications. Purchasing a digital camera is a small investment compared to other dental equipment. It provides you with a low-cost, easy-to-use tool that improves your dental practice. It can enhance your skills as a practitioner and promote your dental services, particularly cosmetic dentistry.

This article discusses some of the powerful uses of digital photography in the dental practice.

CASE STUDY: INTRODUCING PATIENTS TO THEIR TEETH AND CREATING PATIENT TRUST AND PARTNERSHIP


Figure 1. Portrait of patient smiling.	Figure 2. This retracted view gives the patient a good close-up of teeth and tissue.

A minimum of 4 photographs are taken at a new patient exam. Each shot is used for a different purpose. The first is a portrait of the patient smiling (Figure 1). This is probably one of the most important views, for 2 reasons. First, it allows patients to see themselves as their friends and colleagues see them. Second, it allows the patient and dentist to candidly critique the smile. It is important to let the patients respond to the photo first, rather than have their reactions influenced by the comments of the dentist. In many cases, what the dentist perceives as a problem area may be completely acceptable to the patient. This photo can also be used in the patient’s chart for identification purposes. It can be updated when necessary.

The second photo, a retracted frontal view (Figure 2), almost always generates a response from the patient. This is a close look at the teeth that brings such things as tooth color, sign of abfractions, and tissue concerns into clear and obvious view. For example, if a patient has an unsightly PFM crown on one of the front teeth, this view allows the patient to see how the tooth appears unnatural or out of place. The presentation of abfractions allows the practitioner to introduce a discussion of a possible malocclusion.

Figures 3 and 4. These occlusal views allow patients to take ownership of their needs.

The third and fourth shots are the maxillary and mandibular occlusal views (Figures 3 and 4). These are the most compelling photos. The best approach when presenting these to the patient is to let the pictures speak for themselves. The advantage of this particular view is that it allows both patient and dentist to view and scrutinize all the adjacent teeth. In most cases, one of the posterior teeth will likely have a huge amalgam restoration. The dentist may point out how the tooth is in need of treatment. The dentist is now able to promote how a crown or an onlay would strengthen the tooth. This initiates a conversation, which is an important step in establishing trust. It also promotes mutual partnership for discussing the age and condition of older, perhaps unstable restorations.

Figures 5 and 6. Using dental software, these areas can be magnified to see every detail.

Figures 7 through 10. Close-up quadrant shots can be successfully taken with digital cameras, but are usually not necessary when using your dental software.


Figure 11. Photograph of a stick bite that helps the ceramist get the incisal edges parallel to the interpupillary line	Figure 12a. Preoperative photograph.

Figure 12b. This postoperative photograph with provisionals allows the dentist and ceramist to visualize the third dimension (as seen on a diagnostic waxup) in the mouth.	Figure 13. A preview of the patient’s new smile can be created doing a computer simulation.

The dentist can use the zoom feature to examine specific areas in a quadrant (Figure 5). A similar evaluation can be performed on the opposite side (Figure 6). The photography promotes patient education toward specific problems, and at the same time, focuses on quadrant dentistry. For example, one approach might be to say, “Mrs. Jones, while we are doing a crown on that molar, let’s also address the other teeth in that same area because you are already going to be numb.” This approach is a powerful patient motivator. It can address the patient’s multiple needs and accomplish a variety of tasks on a quadrant basis. Close-up views of all 4 quadrants can be taken (Figures 7 through 10), but are not needed the majority of the time.

Digital photography also plays a major part in enhancing communication with the dental laboratory. It can be used for such things as matching a central incisor or making sure the midline is canting correctly (Figure 11). Digital pictures quickly facilitate the correct technical message to the laboratory staff working on your case. When performing an anterior cosmetic case, ask the patient to return to your office and take photos of her smile when she is not anesthetized. These digital photos can be e-mailed to the ceramist. After receiving them, the dentist and the technician can conduct a telephone evaluation of the provisionals and make any necessary changes. It is not necessary for the patient to be present. This cuts back on chair time, saving your time and the patient’s time. In essence, digital photography brings the skills of the ceramist into your own practice site, reducing time and margin for errors (Figure 12a and 12b).

TELLING YOUR STORY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
Imaging or computer simulations are also great marketing techniques for your dental practice. With digital photography, you can take a patient portrait, load it into the computer, and in 5 to 10 minutes have a simulation of what a “new” smile could look like (Figure 13). As several programs now exist, consider these options to support your marketing services, especially the simulation programs. One program successfully used in this office is Digident (by David Traub) with the Lorin Library. The simulation models provide a powerful presentation as well as help the dentist see another dimension in smile design.

Digital radiography is another great practice builder, but it requires a large investment. If you are not ready for that, a high-quality digital camera can still be instrumental in taking photos of your regularly processed films, thereby creating a digital image. While these images may not replicate the quality of true digital film, they can produce a suitable diagnostic quality (Figure 14). Like the digital photos, once the image of the film is taken, it can be loaded into the computer and manipulated.


Figure 14. These are digital pictures of bitewings taken on a view box.	Figure 15. A great starter camera, the Canon G3.

Figure 16. Canon’s flagship digital camera, the 10D.	Figure 17. These retractors make it easy for a single team member to take the pictures.

Figure 18. These mirrors are a must for great intraoral photography.

THE POWER OF POWERPOINT
How many times have you thought, “If I could just find a way to pull all the pieces together, then I could really show my patient all their choices. But who has time to create an individualized presentation?”

Microsoft’s PowerPoint program allows the dentist to develop a comprehensive and compelling message for the patient. Once you have a general template for your case presentations, it can be personalized for patients to allow them to discover their own dental problems. This would include digital images of their mouth, x-rays, and simulations. You can create a powerful presentation by including other patients’ before-and-after photos that are imported from the charts into the program. These are people with whom your patients readily identify. They are not air-brushed or touched-up photos of models. They are real people.

SELECTING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE RIGHT PROJECT
If these projects sound like they would enhance your dental practice, then you need to proceed from the beginning. The first and most important step is to find the camera that will best suit your needs and your budget. There are many digital cameras to choose from. A camera that has a 3- or 4-megapixel capacity will be very appropriate to view image imported into a computer system. The Canon G3 (Figure 15) delivers resolution that is needed to take pictures like those presented in this article. The images captured will be suitable to create all the projects described. Other nice features about this particular camera are its compact size and its user-friendly function. This helps when you must train your staff in digital photography. Take advantage of your well-trained and highly skilled staff.

As you progress, you might elect to upgrade to a more sophisticated digital camera. The Canon 10D is an excellent choice (Figure 16). This particular camera is a 6.3-megapixel camera with detachable lens and an optional ring flash. It is an excellent choice for taking high-quality digital photographs that have the same quality of a 35-mm camera. Don’t be discouraged by the array of technical features; it is very easy to use. Dr. Tom Hedge and Andy Thompson at Norman Camera have already done all the homework to use this camera for ideal dental photography settings. Andy can be contacted via the Internet (normancamera.com). Andy’s knowledge will save you time and eliminate frustration. With his guidance, you should be off to a smooth start down the road of dental digital photography.

Other items that you will need are retractors (Figure 17) and mirrors (Figure 18). The best retractors that I have found are manufactured by 3M Unitek. The mirrors can be purchased through Practicon. Like any new venture, there is a learning curve, both with the equipment and the technique.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OPTIONS
A computer system and appropriate software are the prerequisite tools for these projects. Many dental offices already have an operating system in place. If you do not, consider a quality laptop unit. Because images take up a lot of space, make sure the laptop has sufficient memory and storage capacity (RAM). Slower systems will be frustrating to use. Portability makes laptops a nice choice. You can take them from room to room in the office and also to your home to prepare case presentations.

The software is one of the most important tools. It is wise to invest in high-quality software such as Eaglesoft from Patterson. This particular program has the latitude to create simple or complex projects. With its Advance Imaging, you can import digital x-rays and digital pictures and also perform simulations. Many good software programs are available. For the practitioner who is just starting out with photography, selecting a software program that has broad functionality will allow you to grow into more complex projects and will support your creativity.

CONCLUSION
Digital photography has truly changed the way I practice dentistry. It allows me to record an image and then incorporate that image for multiple applications. Making and keeping these photo images has multiple benefits. First, it eliminates regrets by enabling you to take pictures of each one of your cases. Second, it offers a superb opportunity to demonstrate capability to patients. Third, it is a user-friendly resource to initiate communication and establish trust between the dentist and the patient.

While somewhat trite and overused, “a picture is worth a thousand words” is very appropriate to describe the use of digital photography in the practice of today’s dentistry.

Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank Dr. Tom Hedge (Digital Dentistry) for his benchmark work in digital photography and for his inspiration to pursue this work in my own career.

Dr. Burns has an aesthetic and implant oriented practice in New Market, Va. He is a graduate of the Midwest Implant Institute under the direction of Dr. Duke Heller. He has attended Pac-live and has studied with Dr. Tom Trinkner and Matt Roberts. He is currently pursuing accreditation status in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Burns can be reached at (540) 740-8937, at drj@jburnsdds.com, or visit jeffreyburns.com.