Clinical Applications

Introduction: Clinical Applications in Dental Imaging are simply a series of successful, proven methods that make it easy to introduce and use multimedia dental images in your practice. What I like about this method is that all the work of deciding when to take images, and finding software and equipment that worked well together - was already done for me. Everyone in my office now participates to create a new, higher standard of service. As you view the clinical applications section, you can decide for yourself which of applications, or routines, that you want to adopt. It’s so much easier when you know when to take images and how to use them. To view the VIDEO presentation   Co-diagnosis, co-discovery: This is the simplest and most obvious clinical application. Simply support all you treatment recommendations with intra-oral camera images and digital x-rays. Use these images when discussing with patients - 100% of the time. If patients aren’t ready to accept treatment recommendations, the images can be printed to bring home. To view the VIDEO presentation   Digital x-rays: This clinical application is simply the replacement of traditional film with a digital process. Digital x-rays make it easier for patients to understand their need for treatment; the images can be modified with software tools and later shown along with various camera images. The efficient use of time is important in our office. Since we follow many of these clinical applications, we have chosen a direct sensor x-ray system, as opposed to a phosphor plate system. If you’re going to start continual use of intra-oral cameras, I recommend a direct sensor solution. Fewer steps are involved and sensors save a significant amount of time. The images appear on screen within seconds and this encourages direct patient communication. There’s a great WOW factor. To view the VIDEO presentation   Complete digital exam: According to Dr. John Jameson, 7 out of 10 patients in the average dental practice have incomplete treatment plans. The complete digital exam is an ideal way to bring up these previously untreated conditions. This exam consists of intra-oral camera images, sometimes with digital camera images, and digital x-rays. The goal is to get patients involved in a complete review of their oral condition. A focus should be placed on previously untreated areas with an explanation of how immediate treatment will prevent future problems, and explanations of what may happen if treatment is further postponed. We use a digital camera to take a frontal face shot, smile, buccals, both arches, and then an intra-oral camera for individual symptomatic teeth. The digital x-ray exam consists of the same x-rays that you would take with film. Once all the images and x-rays are taken, they are reviewed with the patients, starting globally and then working through the different areas of the mouth. A patient interview questionnaire may better prepare you to understand your patient’s long-term goals. Patient education programs and a custom image library of your completed cases can easily be accessed from within CADI to show treatment suggestions and alternatives. To view the VIDEO presentation   Cosmetic or whitening simulation: A digital camera is great for cosmetic presentations, but you can take it one step further with cosmetic imaging and whitening simulation. From a frontal face shot, a whitening simulation and/or a smile insertion can be done within CADI in only a few minutes. Most people have no idea of how their appearance can be improved by a “new or whiter smile”. This is a great initiator and stimulates general interest in oral health. To view the VIDEO presentation   New emergency patients: Turn new emergency patients into lifetime patients using the intra-oral camera and a digital x-ray sensor. New emergency patients often don’t associate dentistry with a positive experience. This is often why they are new emergency patients in the first place. If these patients don’t frequent a dentist because of: poor dental IQ, fear of pain, fear of cost, lack of trust in previous dentists, or whatever their reason, start your new relationship by showing them images to support your treatment recommendations. It is a strong independent variable that builds trust quickly. If this credibility cannot be gained, patients will often select the lowest cost basic treatment alternative and you may never see them again. As with co-diagnosis, take an x-ray of the area of concern along with an intra-oral camera image. You may also take a quadrant and or arch image as a reference point to helop with explanations. Have the images on screen when you begin your treatment recommendation. To view the VIDEO presentation   Before and after images: Take before and after images of your crown and bridgework, cosmetic cases, etc. on a routine basis. There are two benefits to doing this: First you are showing patients how they looked before and how they look now. If you are in the process of a restorative case, you will be encouraging the patient to continue with the ongoing treatment. Sometimes patients are not completely satisfied with the end result. Showing a before-after pictures reminds them of how they looked before. Also, you can use these images to encourage other patients into accepting treatments. You will also be showing them that others have proceeded with similar treatments and you are confirming that you are capable of producing desired results. To view the VIDEO presentation   Hygiene: It’s not always easy to get patients to come in for their routine cleaning and check-up. Reinforce the importance of hygiene at every cleaning by taking one before and one after image with an intra-oral camera. Show patients before and after cleaning, the amount of plaque and staining that has been removed, changes in periodontal conditions, etc. To view the VIDEO presentation   Insurance approval: Combine images with the usual x-rays for more and faster insurance approval. Images can either be sent via e-mail or mail. Show fractures using a high-quality intra-oral camera and add text or other annotations to make approval easier. To view the VIDEO presentation   Orthodontics: If orthodontics is part of your practice, panoramic and cephalometric images can either be taken digitally or scanned into CADI from traditional film. Digital tracing and analysis is fast and precise with CADI-DFO. The analysis software instantly calculates a wide variety of analyses. Additionally, digital photographs can be automatically imported into the American Association of Orthodontics mount and are easily positioned and cropped for printing or digital storage. To view the VIDEO presentation