Intraoral cameras – how camera modules enhance dental care
By using cameras for various applications, the medical sector has seen vast improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and post-operative care. From retina scanners to digital microscopes and robotic surgeries, camera modules have made the process easier for both patients and caregivers alike.
Intraoral cameras are a great example of a camera-enabled dental examination device that helps the dentist get a clear view of the interior of the patient’s mouth.
In today’s blog post, we will cover what intraoral cameras are, the benefits of using them in dental diagnosis and treatment, and the different factors you should consider while choosing a camera module for intraoral cameras.
What are intraoral cameras?
As the term suggests, intraoral cameras are compact pen-like devices that are used to capture the details of dental and oral structures. They record and display videos of the teeth and gum in real-time on a computer screen. This helps the dentist get a detailed view for providing a better diagnosis and treating cavities and tooth decay. Intraoral cameras are also used during dental surgery procedures.
Dental mirrors have been replaced in many modern-day dental care centers today with intraoral cameras. Intraoral cameras are not a recent innovation. They have been in use since the late 1980s. At that time, they were bulkier, costlier, and more difficult to handle. In addition, the quality of the videos and images was poor.
Modern advancements in embedded systems and camera technology have led to a tectonic shift in this regard. With more compact displays, USB connectivity, and small form factor camera modules, new-age intraoral cameras are as small as a thick pen.
A modern intraoral camera in use
Features of dental intraoral cameras
Here are some of the key features of an intraoral camera that make it indispensable for dentists:
- Zoom and magnification – An essential feature to get an enhanced view of teeth and gum.
- LED lights – For better visibility, especially when there is limited ambient light.
- Fluorescence imaging – To detect different conditions of the teeth such as plaque and inflammation accurately.
- A digital display – For getting a real-time view of the patient’s mouth.
Working principle of dental intraoral cameras
The term intraoral camera generally refers to the complete system including the camera, cable, digital display, LED lights, etc. It is the camera which collects the necessary image data required for the dentist to do various analyses. The data is then transferred to the host computer using a USB cable which then processes the images by using an image processing software. The images or videos are then displayed on the digital screen after. All these happen in a matter of a few milliseconds.
The quality of the images and videos is heavily impacted by the image sensor in the camera. The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the images. Storage of the image and video data is usually managed by the inbuilt memory of the host system.
Benefits of using a dental intraoral camera
While they did not receive a great amount of adoption in the early days because of their size, cost, and difficulty to handle, next-gen intraoral cameras used in dental care centers today are lightweight and easy to move around. They offer the following benefits:
- They provide a complete view of the mouth. This is difficult to achieve using traditional dental mirrors.
- They can offer a zoom of more than 50X, offering better visibility and higher accuracy and shortened time to diagnosis.
- Having a display increases convenience as the dentist does not have to tediously look in a mirror. The display also offers the ability for the dentist to clearly explain the condition to the patient by showing them the interiors of their mouth.
- With intraoral cameras, dentists can produce a much clearer dental record for various purposes such as future examination, insurance claims, and progressive treatment.
- Data obtained using intraoral cameras can be stored for research purposes. This data can act as key reference points for scientists and researchers to come up with better treatment methodologies for different teeth illnesses.
How embedded cameras elevate the performance of intraoral cameras
As we already know, the image sensor is a key component of an intraoral camera system. An embedded camera or camera module is the unit that contains the image sensor, lens, ISP (Image Signal Processor), base board, connectors, and adaptor boards. Camera modules are the eyes of intraoral cameras and ensure that dentists get the most detailed view possible.
The ability to customize camera modules to different dimensions made it possible for product developers to come up with a more compact architectural design for intraoral cameras. A standard 30mm x 30mm sized camera module will not work for the pen-like shape most intraoral cameras have. The camera module will have to be customized to a different form factor to fit the design needs of the system. Modern camera modules also come with ultra-high resolution and zoom capabilities – ensuring high quality images can be produced for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Factors to consider while choosing a camera module for intraoral cameras
In this section, let us look at the key factors you need to keep in mind while choosing a camera module for your intraoral camera system.
The factors are:
- Resolution and frame rate
- Zoom
- Form factor
- Fluorescence sensitivity
- Color reproduction
- USB compatibility
Resolution and frame rate
Resolution is of utmost importance in intraoral cameras. Since dental characteristics are minute and require thorough examination, having a high-resolution camera can make a huge difference. A resolution of 5MP or above is recommended. If needed, depending on the end application requirements, you can go for a resolution of 4K or higher.
Zoom
It goes without saying that magnification is an essential feature in intraoral cameras. Optical zoom is the recommended mode of zooming for better clarity. However, digital zoom will also do the job. A zoom of 4X or higher is typically used in intraoral cameras.
Learn more about the differences between optical zoom and digital zoom here: Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom in Embedded Vision Cameras.
Form factor
Intraoral cameras are small in size, so there has to be a camera module small enough in it. There isn’t a standard dimension that needs to be followed for an intraoral camera module. It depends on the architecture and design of the camera system. While some might find a 30mm x 30mm module suitable, most would need modules with a smaller width.
Fluorescence sensitivity
This is required if the system uses the fluorescence technique for viewing dental structures. Some intraoral cameras use fluorescence to reveal important details that cannot be otherwise captured.
Color reproduction
Certain symptoms in dentistry are identified using the changes in the color of the teeth or gum. Hence, color accuracy is extremely critical in intraoral cameras as the inability to capture colors as seen by the human eye can lead to inaccurate diagnosis. Using an ISP with superior color correction and manipulation capabilities is a must.
USB compatibility
Since intraoral cameras use the USB interface to connect to the host computer, the camera should be USB compatible.
Wrapping up
Intraoral cameras beyond doubt have revolutionized dental care. Whether it’s for patients or dentists, the convenience and higher accuracy intraoral cameras have enabled are truly game changers. However, it is important to ensure each component of the system meets the necessary quality standards. Given that the camera module is the eye of the system, it is important to consider all the factors we discussed before finalizing your choice.
TechNexion – cutting edge cameras for medical devices
TechNexion’s embedded vision product portfolio covers a wide variety of vertical markets. Thus, with our in-house key expertise and experienced engineering team of seasoned engineers we undertake a wide variety of customization projects for industries such as smart city, industrial, medical, robotic and logistic applications. Backed with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that is compliant with ISO-13485, we are ready and open for a consultation to see how we will be able to assist you in realizing your next medical embedded vision project. With features such as high resolution, zoom, low light sensitivity, NIR sensitivity, etc., our cameras are a standout among the many available options in the market today.
Learn more about our embedded vision cameras here.
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