TOWNIE REVIEW: Wireless Intraoral Video By: Martin B. Goldstein, DMD

I owned a conventional system earlier in my career, and became disenchanted with the drawbacks inherent to intraoral video in a dental setting including: tangled cables and the storage space necessary in an already cluttered working area. Plus, cabled camera modules can be unplugged and moved to another room but this “ease of mobility” has been found by many to be less than convenient. Finally, conventional wired intraoral video systems are typically coupled with expensive viewing monitors.

Given the drawbacks listed above, I had to wonder what might prompt a “digital still devotee” like me to retest the waters of intraoral video. Two words come to mind: ease and simplicity.

Diminutive Size

From Figure 1, it's apparent that the workhorse of the system discussed here, the RF System lab SS-24 camera is not much larger than an electric toothbrush. It sits on the counter in a small charging stand. Lighting (LED source), image memory (up to 192 images), power (rechargeable battery) and function switch (for exposing images and making menu selections) are all built into the compact SS-24. The base of the camera houses the microwave transmitter that sends the image wirelessly to any video source equipped with a receiving antennae. If the operator so chooses, an economical 13-inch color TV can serve as a video receiver/viewer by simply plugging the receiver into the "video in" jack on the television. RF System also offers the compact TP-10L chair-side monitor. It can attach to a light pole or be attached to an adjustable desktop stand. While the screen is but six inches, it renders a sharp, true image.

Fig. 1: Dr. Goldstein using the SS-10 wireless intraoral camera from RF System lab

To transmit and capture images on a PC, you can add the USB-9 interface to the system, plugging it into any available USB port on your PC. This renders the SS-24 a Twain compatible image source ready to “talk” freely with commonly found software management or imaging packages. Interestingly, both receivers (TV and PC) can operate simultaneously.

Rapid Fire Show and Tell

Rapid fire "show and tell" is the RF System's strong suit. Simply reaching for the hygienically shielded camera chair side, aiming its auto-focus lens and pulling back the camera mounted trigger produces a sharp image of what's broken, or easily demonstrates an image of the new restoration just placed (Fig. 2). Trade-Offs There are some trade-offs. The image quality produced by RF lab’s wireless system is not quite up to that of more expensive hardwired systems. The capture software that accompanies the USB-9 is low end (but very functional), and the PC rendered image is not as sharp as that seen when viewed on a TV or chair-side TV monitor. (This, however, is typical of systems that convert analog to digital data.)

Fig. 2: On screen demonstration of recently placed restoration

Since my formal patient imaging for case presentation and treatment planning is carried out with a digital still camera, the modest degradation of the wireless image is of little concern to me. The role of the RF system is rapid patient demonstration. I have found patients and staff to be delighted with this capability.

You can have it both ways
For those wishing to have the best of both worlds: the image resolution of a digital still camera and the companion ability to quickly perform "show and tell", the RF System lab video ensemble deserves your attention as a means of providing the latter. Its cost, size and convenience are compelling. Specs and current costs can be obtained at www.norika-inc.com.