Teledentistry Instructions
Advanced Teledentistry Technology
You can use your own smartphone or tablet camera to show us what you concern is, which gives us enhanced details, better information, and a visual look at you. You can also send over your x-rays from another dental office along with notes, list of medications, and any other pertinent information through encrypted file sharing or encrypted emails.
We can use this information to more accurately diagnose your dental problems using advanced virtual care technology. We are then able to immediately provide an e-script for pain medication, or antibiotics as appropriate, or we can wait until you have the time to come to the office for a visit.
Follow Up Care with Teledentistry Technology
Teledentistry is not only for emergencies, it can also be used by us to follow up with you AFTER dental procedures in order to check up on them. Our dental office can now visually see your progress and assess healing by using advanced telecommunication technology, giving you a much better understanding of your postoperative status. You can now also take photos or videos of your healing / oral health and send the data to us with just a few clicks on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Taking Intraoral (in the mouth) Photos
Don’t forget health and hygiene: Start by (a) washing your hands with soap and water (then wear exam gloves if you have them), and (b) cleaning and disinfecting your smartphone, tablet, or camera well, using methods prescribed by the manufacturer.
Important: Doing this by oneself can be challenging, even for people who do not have impairments. If you are unable to do this by yourself, ask a friend, a relative, or a caregiver for help. Again, as in the instructions above, please make sure you and your assistant follow all health and hygiene protocols in order to avoid the spread of viral and bacterial illnesses.
Hint: If for any reason pulling your lips to move them out of the way hurts a little, try applying a thin coating of Vaseline to them.
- If you are using a computer make sure the light source is behind the camera. As an alternative, make sure the monitor is as bright as possible.
- Bring the camera as close to the edge of the table/desk as possible (this makes it easier to get closer to the camera if needed)
- If you are using a smartphone or tablet, have a lightsource behind it.
- Set the camera so it is propped up (for example, against a book), horizontal, and set close to the edge of the table.
- If possible, have someone else take the photos and turn the flash on.
- If you must take the photos yourself, make sure the camera is in “selfie” mode and turn on the timer (recommend 3-10 seconds).
Below are 15 photos with detailed instructions. They are composed in a way that gives us the best possible virtual view of your mouth.
Example 1. In this first shot, we want to see your top and bottom front teeth and gums as much as possible.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- Pull the top and bottom of your right and left cheeks back with two fingers from each hand, flipping your upper lip up and your lower lip down.
- Look straight into the camera.
Example 2. In this next shot, we want to see the front of your bottom teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly
- Using your right and left hands, pinch the right and left corners of your lower lip and flipping it down, expose your bottom teeth.
- Look straight into the camera.
Example 3. Here, we want to see the front of your upper teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- With two fingers from each hand, pull back the top your right and left upper lip.
- Look straight into the camera.
Example 4. In this shot, we want to see the tops of your bottom teeth and mouth.
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- Open really wide.
- With one finger from each hand, pull down your lower lip.
- Tip your head down as far as you can. Shoot the photo of the inside bottom teeth from above.
Example 5. This photo may look a little disorienting, but that’s because it’s the top of your mouth shot from below. Here, we’re interested in seeing the bottoms of your upper teeth.
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- Open really wide.
- With two fingers from each hand inside your cheeks, pull up your upper lip, exposing the bottom of your top teeth.
- If you’re shooting this by yourself, it may help for you to sit, or kneel on the ground, so you can tip back more.
Example 6. In this next series of four (shots 6-9), we would like to get a view of the center and left profile of your mouth— top and bottom, but especially the bottom teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- With two fingers from your right hand, pinch the right corner of your lower lip and pull down. With two fingers from your left hand, place them inside your left cheek, pull your back your lips, exposing the left side of your smile.
- Turn your head slightly to the left.
Example 7. This time, we’re looking for a shot of the bottom left of your mouth, including the back of the gums.
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- Open as wide as you’re able.
- With your left hand, pull your lower lip down, exposing the tops of your bottom left teeth and gums.
- Try to keep your tongue flat and out of the way.
- Tip your head slightly down and turn slightly to the right.
Example 8. In this next shot in the left side series, we want to see your left top center and upper teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- With your right right hand, pull your upper lip up and away to the right, exposing your top front teeth, and with your left hand, pull left cheek away, exposing your left upper teeth and gums.
- Look straight into the camera.
Example 9. In this last shot of the left side series, we want to see your left top center and the bottom of your upper teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth as wide as you can.
- With your left hand, pull your right cheek to the side.
- Try to keep your tongue flat or pull it to the back of your mouth.
- Tip your head slightly up and turn slightly to your right.
Example 10. This next series of three shots (10-13) is for seeing your right side. In this picture, we want to see the center and right profile of your mouth— top and bottom, especially the bottom teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- With two fingers from your left hand, pinch the left corner of your lower lip and pull down. With two fingers from your right hand, place them inside your right cheek, pull your back your lips, exposing the right side of your smile.
- Turn your head slightly to the right.
Example 11. This photo is the time, concomitant of example 7. Here we’ve looking for a shot of the bottom right of your mouth, including the back of the gums.
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- Open as wide as you’re able.
- With your right hand, pull your lower lip down, exposing the tops of your bottom center and right teeth and gums.
- Try to keep your tongue flat and out of the way.
- Tip your head slightly down and turn slightly to the left.
Example 12. This time we’re shooting your right top center and upper teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth slightly.
- With your left hand, pull your upper lip up and away to the left, exposing your top front teeth, and with your right hand, pull right cheek away, exposing your right upper teeth and gums.
- Look straight into the camera.
Example 13. In this last shot of the left side series, we want to see your left top center and the bottom of your upper teeth and gums.
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- Open your mouth as wide as you can.
- With your right hand, pull your right cheek to the side.
- Try to keep your tongue flat or pull it to the back of your mouth.
- Tip your head slightly up and turn slightly to your left.
Example 14. In this picture, we want to see the tops of the bottom molars and gums.
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- Open more than halfway.
- With one finger from each hand, place them on the inside of each cheek and pull them out, exposing the bottom molars.
- Tip your head slightly down.
Example 15. In this last picture of the series, we want to see the bottoms of the top molars and gums.
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- Open more than halfway.
- With one finger from each hand, place them on the inside of each cheek and pull them out, exposing the top molars.
- Like in example 5, if you’re shooting this by yourself, it may help for you to sit, or kneel on the ground, so you can tip back more.