Why integrate intraoral imaging into your workflow
With the right camera and proper integration, intraoral cameras make dentistry easier for both providers and their patients. Intraoral images can make daily workflows such as clinical documentation, patient education, and case presentations more effective and convenient.
Patients often struggle to understand exactly what’s going on in their mouth and why their dentist is recommending treatment, especially when they have a problem that they can’t feel or directly see without intraoral photos. Taking a few quick photos not only allows patients to better understand the condition of their oral health, but also get the visual proof they need to feel engaged and confident with your treatment recommendations.
Speaking of getting patients invested in their oral health, intraoral cameras are great for improving case acceptance across all of your operatories. With proper intraoral camera workflows like taking intraoral photos at every appointment and having them available at every operatory, case presentation becomes a breeze. These workflows enable you to quickly pull up a detailed collection of photos to support your live intraoral camera video feed as you discuss areas of concern and recommended treatment options. This provides patients a detailed visual aid that makes patients comfortable and confident asking questions and discussing their oral health. This confidence translates into patients being more invested in their oral health, making them more likely to accept treatment.
Patients also become more motivated about their treatment outcomes and maintaining a proper oral care routine. Capturing “before and after” images of patients throughout their treatment can not only deepen provider-patient trust but also make future case acceptance easier. When patients see the successful results of their decision to follow through with treatment, they become more trusting of their provider and more likely to say “yes” to future treatment recommendations.
What to look for in an intraoral camera
When it comes to investing in intraoral cameras for your practice, it can be a bit overwhelming when you begin your search. With so many different intraoral cameras available on the market that widely vary in price, it can be a very time-consuming process. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right camera for you and your team:
Features
First, what features does the intraoral camera have that make taking high-quality intraoral images simple, fast, and convenient for your team?
One of the most important features of an intraoral camera is its image quality. If the camera does not capture clear, color-accurate images, the camera will ultimately leave patients feeling more confused. Using a camera that takes crystal clear, high-quality photos makes presenting treatment needs, educating patients, filing insurance claims, and retaining accurate documentation as simple as capturing an image with that camera.
Speaking of taking photos, it’s crucial to evaluate whether the camera has a capture button built into it. Having a capture button on the camera means you don’t have to stand next to your keyboard or mouse or need an additional team member to help you out when you’re capturing images. You can instead comfortably take detailed intraoral photos wherever you are in your operatory, with the only restriction being the length of your USB cable.
Another significant feature is the weight of the camera. Since your team will use cameras with most patients throughout the day, the camera must be lightweight and ergonomic. A camera like the MouthWatch Intraoral Camera weighs in at just 31 grams and has an ergonomic handle design that makes using it all day long a breeze.
Integration
Aside from features, how will the camera integrate into your existing workflow? The camera you choose should offer a seamless integration experience and be compatible with the practice management and imaging software you’re currently using. For example, the MouthWatch Intraoral Camera offers seamless integration with nearly all digital X-ray software, making it simple to add intraoral imaging to your workflow. Easy integration also means a quick setup, which is especially valuable for practices with several chairs.
The camera you choose should also offer responsive lifetime customer support should you run into an issue initially setting up your cameras or if you run into any difficulties in the future. When you purchase an essential technology like an intraoral camera, you should feel supported throughout the entire process, from setup to use.
Price point
The final, and likely most important factor in choosing the right camera for your practice is the price. As previously mentioned, to get the most out of your intraoral camera investment, you will want to have a camera at every operatory. However, this can get very expensive quickly, with many intraoral cameras costing thousands of dollars. With affordable pricing and multi-camera discounts, the MouthWatch Intraoral Camera makes setting every chair up for intraoral imaging success easy. Affordable pricing also means that the cameras will often pay for themselves after a short period of increased case acceptance.
Choosing the right intraoral camera and using it with every patient means presenting treatment needs and educating patients is only a few capture button presses away. When patients are better educated and feel more comfortable discussing their oral health, they become more likely to accept treatment recommendations, leading to increased case acceptance and improved patient outcomes.