Digital Photography In Orthodontics

Write short note on digital photography in orthodontics.
Answer. Digital photography is a great revolution in the field of orthodontics.

Digital photography replaces the traditional film by charged coupled device, i.e. CCD. This CCD sensor consists of thousands of light detectors known as pixels on its surface.

“Understanding the role of digital photography in modern orthodontics”

Orthodontic photography

As more is the number of pixels the quality and detail of the image is enhanced, but this increases the size of file in which the image is saved.
For good image quality camera’s optical resolution should be evaluated, only actual CCD optical resolution should be considered.
Hardware consists of flt bed scanner, slide scanner, video cameras and the digital still cameras.
There are two main groups of digital cameras, i.e. compact digital cameras and professional reflex cameras with digital interface.
As image is acquired by the CCD, it should be stored in memory of the camera as a file. Image files may be of different formats and they can be compressed. Compression leads to increase in number of the images which are stored in memory but this cause the decrease in image quality. Compression level should always be selected to save the image. It is done by selecting capture mode as FINE, NORMAL OR ECONOMY. For digital cameras to save the fie JPEG or TIFF fies are used, since these fies are easily read virtually by any of the imaging softare.

“Importance of studying digital photography for better orthodontic outcomes”

Intraoral photography techniques

Image storage is done by two types, i.e. internal memory and removable memory. Digital cameras having only internal memory and no removable memory are avoided. Removable memory should be used again and again.
All of the images which are stored in the memory of digital camera is transferred to computer for archiving. There are two methods to transfer images from digital camera to computer, i.e.

“Common challenges in integrating digital photography into orthodontic workflows”

Orthodontic case documentation

- Via cable connection: Many of digital cameras are connected to computer via a serial or parallel port. Disadvantage of this method is that it is slow. Serial transfer is more slower than parallel. Some of the cameras use small computer system interface port which is faster but not available on all the computers.
- Transfer via removable memory through computer drive: This is the most convenient way to transfer the images to the computer.
Digital view of computer technology currently enables the clinician to record anterior tooth, display during speech and smiling at the equivalent of 30 frames per second.

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