A negative will come out afterward which is supposed to show any problems you may have but only the dentist can understand or interpret what the negative says.
On the other hand, one patient is holding a colored print out of a picture showing the inside of his teeth and mouth.
The patient sees tiny little details of the extent of the cavity or gum diseases, and he can see the true picture of what is happening inside his teeth and mouth. He shudders when he saw the state of decay some of his teeth were in, and decides to go for treatment immediately to save whatever could be saved in his teeth.
The photograph was recorded by an intraoral camera attached to a computer which the patient can immediately see on the monitor and can be printed for the patient to take home.
On Saipan, the newly relocated Toothworks Dental Clinic is one clinic that uses intraoral cameras.
The clinic just bought another intraoral camera, an upgrade of the unit they used previously to help educate patients on what happens to their teeth when they don’t take good care of it, as well as highlight the areas in a patient’s mouth that need instant attention.
“When patients see what their teeth looks like in actual colors, they are less likely to refuse treatments and dental procedures because they can see for themselves what problems they have,” Toothworks Dental Clinic president Dr. Alan Markoff told the Variety.
He said that the difference of the intraoral camera compared to the dental x-ray is that the patients can understand the real situation without all the confusing dental language and dental jargon.
“They will see the situation of their teeth as it is, while a dental x-ray can tell them nothing,” Markoff said.
Majority of the population are suffering from dental phobia or are suspicious of recommended treatments for fear of pain, cost or past traumatic experiences, but when they see what their teeth looks like in actual picture, it helps a lot.
Intraoral cameras are now commonly used in modern dental offices, but patients can also use them at home if they want to monitor their dental health.
Have you checked your dental health lately? Visit the Toothworks Dental Clinic at the second floor of TSL Plaza in Garapan from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday or call 234-3810/11/12 for appointments.
