Consultants’ Comments

• “Camera head is thin, allowing easy access to posterior teeth.”
• “Integrated camera is very handy during treatment.”
• “Correct pairing of monitor for the camera is critical for good results.”
• “The A-dec web site is a good place to get product information.”
• “System does not have a function to remove ‚Äòshaking’ from image.”
• “Tabletop unit is bulky.”
• “I would like to see a crisper image.”

Description

The A-dec Intraoral Camera is available as a tabletop model or one that is fully integrated into an A-dec delivery system. The tabletop model includes a foot control, power supply and docking cradle. The integrated model requires dealer installation. The camera is activated by the system’s foot control and docks in a handpiece bracket. The camera is approximately the size of a handpiece and has a titanium exterior. Three preset focal ranges allow switching between close-up, intra-oral and full-arch/face views. A focusadjustment ring on the camera barrel allows for manual adjustment. A white LED provides the illumination and turns on when the camera is lifted from its cradle. Both real-time and still imaging are possible, as are multiple photos on the same screen, mirror images and slide show. Images may be displayed on an analog TV screen. With the addition of a capture card, images may be displayed digitally and saved on a computer. The integrated A-dec Intraoral Camera with 15″ digital monitor and the tabletop camera with analog monitor were both evaluated by consultants over a six-month period.

Equipment Features

The A-dec Intraoral Camera is lightweight and easily adapts to intra-oral positions. The titanium surface and general appearance blend with other components of the dental unit. The size and shape of the camera are comfortable to use. Focus on the desired subject is easy to achieve, and the LED provides bright illumination. Resulting images on the analog display are fair, while those displayed on the digital monitor contain a significant amount of glare, obscuring the subject of the picture. The foot control provides simple activation of the camera, and the location of the integrated camera is especially convenient. Some challenges with the function of the camera were experienced by consultants. If the camera was lifted from the cradle then replaced without capturing an image, any existing images on the screen were lost. On the integrated model, a slide show display of images would begin arbitrarily. Overall, consultants rated the A-dec Intraoral Camera fair compared to other cameras they had used.