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DentalPhotography

Mike R Sharland

An Update on Digital Photografor the General Dental PractitioAbstract: Digital photography technology has moved on dramatically in recent years, with photography in general beco

greater part of the social scene. The popularity of camera mobile phones and compact cameras have been major factorsin the popularity of general photography. So, how has this revival and technological advancement affected dental photo

Understanding the equipment, and how to use it successfully, is still important, but many of the advancements have ma

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Denta

Camera type Viewing Method Lens Flash Advantages Disa

Compact LCD/Rangefinder Fixed Zoom Built in Size In

Low cost N

Can produce good

intra-orals

Bridge LCD or Viewfinder Fixed Zoom Pop-up Size P

(Electronic) Reasonably low cost idea

pho

N

light sou

N

DSLR Viewfinder Interchangeable Pop-up Point and shoot S

(LCD ‘Live View’*) Consistent quality results C

N

an

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DentalPhotography

pixelated (individual pix

in the image). When usin

camera is enlarging the

just like enlarging a 35 m

the user will get a ‘grainy

referred to as ‘noise’ in d

(Figure 3).

Digital zoomDSLRs.

In the previo

was mentioned that len

equipment can be used

some limited functions. T

there is a difference in m

between a lens designed

one designed for digital

in this is the way light hilenses specifically design

should get better image

Figure 3. Optical Zoom V Digital Zoom (2 images showing the effect of zooming in digitally).

Rangefinder LCD Viewfinder

Unsuitable for close up work, Live preview of image on Available on Bridge

il bl d (EVF*) d DSLR

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DentalPhotography

and can see little use for

the present time.

Electronic V

This is a sma

magnifier lens for eye le

It is mainly used on ‘Brid

cameras. It gives a good

lens is seeing, however, feasy as a conventional v

below).

Through–th

Digital SLR (S

cameras view the image

the lens, and thus give t

exactly what is being ph

Light sources

This is one ar

big developments since

a b

c d

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Denta

See Table 4 fo

file size in relation to cam

and file types.

Camera settings

Once camera

been purchased, the reswhether it is an inexpen

camera or an expensive

DSLR, are dependent on

settings. This will affect,

the exposure (light or da

the ‘depth of focus’ (how

acceptable focus from fr

mouth), and colour. Go t

thedigitaldentist-site.oauthor’s recommended

RAW TIFF JPG Fine JPG Normal JPG Basic

11.5 MB 36 MB 3.5 MB 2.5 MB 0.8 MB

Approximate sizes

Table 4. File size/type comparison based on a 12 megapixel DSLR.

Compose and

photograph image

(JPG & RAW)

Download to PC or

Laptop

Burn CDR/DVD or RAW

images only and store

in a safe location

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DentalPhotography

All practitioners should consider the benefits,

not just in the short term, but long term too,

especially in medico-legal terms, patient

education, staff training, etc.

By keeping to simple guidelines,

dental photography is well within the

capabilities of all staff and, in particular, the

dental nurse, who is in an ideal position to takephotographs throughout procedures with little

impact on surgery time and organization.

The author’s ideal specifications

for photography in the dental practice are:

For Compact cameras:*

4 Megapixels+

Good ‘optical’ zoom

Good ‘macro’ capabilityManual control of aperture, shutter speed

and flash.

*Recommended Canon G9

For Digital SLRs:*

6 Megapixels+

100 mm* or 60 mm Macro lens

Ringflash*/LED Light/Colour CorrectedPortable light source

*Recommended Canon 400D or 450D/Sigma

105 mm Macro/Dine Ring and Point flash

Nikon D60 or D80/Sigma 105 mm Macro/Dine

Ring and Point flash.

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the

support of Professor Trevor Burke, School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham.

References1. Sharland MR. Digita

the general dental p

1. Getting started. D

2004;31: 266−272.

2. Sharland MR. Digita


Intra-oral imaging. D

2004;31: 328−332.

3. Sharland MR. Digita


Extra- oral imaging.

2004;31: 385−390.

4. Turner J. Digital ima

update. Dent Update

385–395.5. http://www.bacd.c

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