Top 5 Tips To Take More Effective Photos - From A Dental Lab

Shade Taking-Styledent Digital Dental Lab

Patient photos are crucial when case planning and communicating with your laboratory. Sending digital pictures of your case can make the difference between creating a great restoration and an extraordinary one.

Here are our 5 tips to help make your photographs more effective:

  1. Take pictures before prepping: Taking the shade should be the first step, while teeth are well hydrated and clean of debris.

  2. Include shade tabs in the pictures: We must see the tab's number in the picture. Use only 1 tab per picture. Also include a stump shade picture after prepping.

  3. Shade tab placement is important: The shade tab needs to be in the same plane as the tooth and placed incisal edge to incisal edge.

  4. Sit the patient upright: Have the patient looking straight ahead. This will avoid reflections from lights and unwanted shades.

  5. Choose the right flash: While a ring flash is great for occlusal and posterior shots, twin flashes are best for anteriors and shade taking.

Camera Settings:

  • ISO: 100

  • F: 22

  • Shutter speed: 1/125

  • Flash Manual: 1/1 not tlt

  • Distance between lens and subject: 9 inches

Lidia Croteau