Using Digital Photography to Provide Excellent Lab Communication By: Christopher Stansberry
Owner, Quality Star West
Dental Lab

DX4900 from Kodak, has a built in distance guide
to make sure images are properly framed.

Communicating patient information for the precise fit and esthetics of a restoration has always been a challenge for doctors and their dental labs. If you are working with a lab in your immediate area, sending the patient to the lab is sometimes an alternative when specialized attention is necessary. But, if you send your lab work out across several states, better methods of communication are necessary.

Although my lab is located on the West Coast, I service many doctors on the East Coast. I have found that utilizing proper photography is the key to successful communication. The old adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ certainly holds true. Photographs provide me with vital information about the tooth such as shape, surface texture and even color. Lengthy written descriptions often fail to convey vital information.

The majority of the restorations my lab provides are anteriors. There is no room for error when doing these restorations so I advise all of the doctors who use my lab to communicate with photos. With photography, the risk of error is substantially reduced. It’s really the next best thing to having the patient sitting next to me as I start my work and provide an esthetically pleasing restoration.

Changing technology with better photographs
While I can argue strongly that photography is a vital key in doing a good restoration, I also understand how challenging it can be to master excellent photography skills. In addition to taking great photos to properly convey vital information, doctors also need to capture images quickly and efficiently so their patient flow will not be affected. I believe digital photography holds the key to efficiency and incredible diagnostic photos. In addition, digital cameras allow the dental staff to immediately see whether they have captured an image that will convey all the necessary information. With the use of digital photography, if the image has problems—overexposure, out of focus or framed improperly, the staff will know it before the patient has left the chair.

A few years ago, very few doctors used digital cameras. With the advancement of digital technology, about 25% of my clients currently use digital photography to communicate. Now that digital cameras have dropped in price and are much easier to use, I’m sure the number will continue to grow. New enhancements are constantly being incorporated into digital cameras; in fact, the latest camera from Kodak has a built in distance guide to make sure images are properly framed. With all the advantages digital photography offers, I am sure the majority of doctors will find the convenience of these photos over the next 5-10 years irresistible.

To prepare for the future, my lab has been completely organized to easily accept digital images. I have a high-resolution, flat-screen computer monitor right next to my work area. When a dentist sends a digital photograph to me, I display it on the screen as I work on the restoration.

How many views are adequate?
One of the questions I’m often asked is how many and what type of views I need to receive to adequately communicate the right information. Actually, the answer really comes down to quality, not quantity. Dental practices often take a number of views to create a complete document of their patients’ teeth but for lab communication, I generally request only two views: (1) a relaxed smile showing the patient before the tooth has been prepped and (2) a close-up of the prepped tooth with surrounding teeth.

The relaxed smile helps me to see exactly what I need to do to get the most esthetic results for the patient. The close-up shows me the characterization I need to match to the patient’s surrounding natural teeth. The color of the prepped tooth is also important, because the materials I work with are translucent and the final shade can be affected by the underlying color of the tooth.

Even though I specialize in anteriors, I also provide posterior restorations. When working on a posterior case, occlusal views are also necessary to provide information about the occlusal surface and other characteristics. Sometimes a close-up of the tooth before it has been prepped is useful in showing what direction I need to take to enhance the patient’s smile.

I also really appreciate it when doctors share post-operative photographs with me. Seeing the restoration in the patient’s mouth helps me to further perfect my work. It also makes me, and my staff, happy to see patients enjoying their new smiles.

Pre-treatment image of 75-year-old male requiring replacement of upper right central incisor lost due to fracture, showing shade tab and black & white references allowing for visualization of all upper anterior teeth, their characteristics and computerized shade mapping.
Post-treatment image of encore style bridge shows characterization and a translucency shade match, in addition to wear patterns of the surrounding dentition.

Real-Time Consultations
Digital photography has another potential benefit: it enables dentists to discuss cases with me during patients’ appointments. Doctors can email me a photograph within seconds of taking it, and I can immediately download the photo and display it. If I need to see another view, the doctor can easily accommodate me, without needing to reschedule their patient. If the case is particularly challenging, the doctor and I can discuss their observations and expectations prior to making the restoration. I’m sure this ‘real-time’ consultation will become increasingly popular in the future.

The Art of Dental Restorations
I was fortunate enough, in my career, to work with some of the true pioneers of today’s cosmetic dental technology. Today, restorative materials and techniques continue to progress. But no matter how much the materials are refined and perfected, building dental restorations will always be as much art as science. Every tooth is unique. I’ve never seen a tooth that exactly matches a shade tab and probably never will. Matching the perfection of Mother Nature and each patient’s unique characteristics will always be challenging. Patients are now better educated about cosmetic dentistry and expect a tooth to match perfectly.

What really motivates me about this profession is I can create smiles that change peoples’ lives. To help do this, photography is my ally. Photography, especially digital photography, deserves a place alongside modern composites and ceramics as a critical part of the evolution of cosmetic restorative dentistry.

For more information on the Kodak DX 4900 digital camera, contact your dental supplies dealer or Kodak at (U.S.) 800-933-8031, or visit Kodak’s dental business website at www.kodak.com/go/ dental.

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Christopher Stansberry is the owner of Quality Star West Dental Laboratory in Lancaster, Calif. You can speak with him directly at: (866) 396-1193

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Experience ‘real-time’ consultation online at DentalTown.com You can also share patient photos with your lab within the special presentation software sponsored by Kodak on the DentalTown website: www.dentaltown.com. Once you reach the home page, just click on the link at the top of your screen and you’ll enter a totally new way to communicate with your lab and dental colleagues.