2016 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 20-24
Abstract : Intraoral cameras enable greater accuracy in medical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of illumination components of intraoral cameras (i.e., relationship between the optical axis and photographing axis) on generated images.
An intraoral camera comprising two optical axes for illumination (Penviewer, Morita) was used for the test. A root canal model with the pulp chamber open (A12-500, Nissin) was photographed to obtain a picture of the pulp chamber, starting from the occlusal surface, in parallel with the tooth axis. Two different photography conditions were studied—coaxial mode, in which the optical axis coincides with the photographing axis, and white mode, in which not only one tooth but also the entire intraoral area can be photographed. The images taken were evaluated on a 5-point scale and statistical analysis (p<0.05) was performed for each condition.
All of the images taken showed the root canal orifice. The images taken in coaxial mode were significantly better than those in white mode (p<0.05). These results show that coaxial mode is more suitable for intraoral observation than white mode.
