Clinical Photography Protocol

Question 1

what are the reasons for photography

Answer 1

• treatment planning
• case documentation
• legal proof
• esthetic evaluation
• self assessment
• laboratory/specialist communication
• marketing
• photo galleries of cases
• study groups, lectures, publications

Question 2

what is the armamentarium for intra oral photos

Answer 2

• camera with memory card
• retractors and mirrors
• contrasters
• basic oral exam set up

Question 3

a mirror kit at CSR contains:

Answer 3

• 2 buccal/palatal mirrors
• 1 adult/occlusal mirror
• 1 pedo/occlusal mirror
• 2 cheek retractors

Question 4

what do you do with mirrors before use

Answer 4

place in warm water bath to bring the surface temperature of the mirror closer to that of the oral cavity to help prevent fogging

Question 5

what are the contrasters used for

Answer 5

• one is used to block facial features like nose and lips
• the other is used to block out undesired intra-oral features- tongue and oropharynx

Question 6

pick up camera by:

Answer 6

the lens not by the flash

Question 7

the flash mount is ____ and not designed to hold camera weight

Answer 7

plastic

Question 8

what do you need to have in the photo for a full facial

Answer 8

• solid background- blue is best
• horizontal photograph
• the photo extends from just above the crest of the patients head to just below the chin
• have the patient smile naturally showing as many teeth as possible

Question 9

what do you need to have in the full smile photo

Answer 9

• pt is seated and clinician standing just to the side of the dental chari
• the pt then turns their head slightly toward the clinician thereby looking at the camera
• the pt is asked to smile as broadly as possible
• photos are taken from an angle slightly above the occlusal plane
• pt smile completely fills the picture
• the left/right commissure falls just short of the left/right borders of the frame

Question 10

the obtain the max depth of field in the full smile photo:

Answer 10

the focus is adjusted until the lateral incisors exhibit the best clarity to ensure the most number of teeth will be in focus

Question 11

how is the retracted smile photo captured

Answer 11

• have the pt or assistant pull the corners of the mouth laterally to expose the posterior teeth and the anterior teeth
• to prevent lips from being pressed against the gingiva and to allow visualization of the vestibule the retractors should also be pulled slightly forwards
• both max and mand vestibules are visible
• all molars visible
• arches should be slightly separated
• lips should not be visible or only minimally visible
• no saliva or bubbles visible

Question 12

how is the buccal view photo captured

Answer 12

• placing the buccal/palatal mirror in the buccal corridor as far posteriorly as possible
• a retractor is used on the other side of the mouth to keep the lips out of the view
• the mirror is pulled laterally away from the teeth so that the posterior teeth may be more easily viewed
• use caution when placing mirrors to avoid pt discomfort
• a gentle stream of air can be blown on the mirror to prevent fogging
• the photo will extend form midline to molars

Question 13

the photograph from the buccal view of the reflected mirror image should exhibbit the following characteristics:

Answer 13

• both maxillary and mandibular vestibules visible
• as many molar teeth as possible visible
• arches slightly separated
• lips should not be visible or only minimally visible
• no saliva or bubbles visible

Question 14

how are the maxillary anterior photos taken

Answer 14

• cheek retractors are used in the same manner as they are for the retracted smile
• the patient is asked to open allowing a photographic contraster to be placed lingual to the maxillary incisors blocking out the tongue and mandibular teeth from view

Question 15

how is the maxillary occlusal view captured

Answer 15

• place the patient in a completely reclines position
• the clinician stands directly behind the patient
• cheek retractors are used to aid in removing the lips from view
• the flat surface of an occlusal mirror is placed against the dorsal surface of the tongue and the occlusal surfaces of the mandibular teeth
• the posterior edge is positioned behind the maxillary second molars
• a gentle stream of air can be blown on the surface of mirror to prevent fogging
• the photograph is taken in the mirror
• focus on a mid point in the view such as first premolars or the palatal arch
• position incisal edges just inside frame

Question 16

what is the ideal occlusal photograph

Answer 16

• a maximum number of teeth will be in focus
• the occlusal surface of all posterior will be visible
• the incisal edges of the central incisors will be just inside the frame
• no gloves in photograph

Question 17

how is the mandibular occlusal view captures

Answer 17

• place the pt in a completely reclined position
• the clinician should stand in front of the patient
• cheek retractors are used to aid in removing the lips from view
• an occlusal mirror is placed against the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary teeth and the ventral surface of the tongue
• the posterior edge is placed behind the mandibular second molars
• a gentle stream of air can be blown on the surface of mirror to prevent fogging
• the photograph is taken in the mirror
• focus on a mid point in the view such as first premolars or the palatal arch
• position incisal edges just inside frame