Importance of Getting Dental Photography Right

Dental photography plays a major role in the modern dental office. Quality digital images are important for case documentation, analysis and aesthetic treatment planning. They are essential for effective communication with the dental laboratory and patients.

Here is our guide on how to carry out dental photo documentation professionally and in a standardized manner for lab purposes.

The pictures presented as examples here are all taken by McTech Dental Lab. Many of these shots can be found in our Case Gallery.

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For Portraits

Equipment and settings used for these shots

• Camera - Canon EOS 77D
• Portrait lens – Cannon EF S18-55mm IS STM
• ISO 1600
• f/11
• 1/30 sec
• Grey Reference card, uniform black background

Tips & SOP’s

• Keep teeth hydrated
• AF point (point of focus) should be on the nose and framed in the center of the photo.
• The before and after photograph background should be consistent. The use of a non-distracting, Uniform, neutral background (Black) is recommended.
• Image should be taken directly in front of the patient. Avoid angulation problems that will affect the appearance of the incisal plane.

For Macro Shots

Equipment and settings used for these shots

• Flash – Yongnuo YN24EX Dual Flash
• Macro Lens: EF 100mm USM
• Camera - Canon EOS 77D
• ISO 100 - 400
• > f/22
• > 1/200sec
• Grey Reference card, Retractor, Contrastor, & Mirror

Tips & SOP’s

• Keep teeth hydrated!
• When retractors are used, keep them out of the shot as best you can.
• When capturing the aesthetic zone, Bring front 6 into full frame. Make sure gums are visible but not the retractors. Use a black contrastor and the opposing teeth should not be visible.
• Make sure the black contrastor takes up the entire background.
• Show a full natural smile. Document the maximum number of teeth and gingiva the patient normally displays when laughing or broadly smiling.
• Do not compensate for a midline discrepancy.
• Image should be taken flush with the surface of the tooth to be matched. Avoid angulation problems that will affect the appearance of the incisal plane.

Shade Photos

Pre-Op

• Keep teeth hydrated
• Use the same equipment and setting as macro shots.
• Take these after cleaning (brushing & Flossing) and with hydrated enamel. We want to match the natural tooth, not the plaque or dried out enamel.
• Before every shot, eliminate debris and distractions.
• Saliva, surface sealants, and other forms of excess moisture, plaque, calculus, blood, food debris, makeup, glove powder, and/or lipstick on teeth.
• For every shade tab capture all three shots.
• For all three shots, keep tab surface flush with the tooth surface of the tooth be matched.
• For end to end shots, leave a small space between incisal edges.
• Take shots strait on, avoid inferior or superior views.
• Capture full mouth in frame with every shot.
• Make sure tab label is visible.

Post-Op

What to include in what types of cases

All Cases

• Bite Register (include even when using triple tray)
• For Bridges and multiple units, we can provide better results with fewer adjustments using a full arch impression.
• Whatever Pictures you find useful

Aesthetic Cases:

• Bite Register
• Pre-op Model or impression
• For Implants, indicate type, size, and brand of each implant
• Detail the expressed goals of Dr. and Patient
• Pictures: Include portrait, smile, teeth, shade tab, and stump shade photos

Complex Aesthetic and Occlusal Rehab Cases: 6 Units or more

• Full Arch Impression (NO triple trays)
• Stick Bite or Face bow (We prefer the Kois face bow system / Panadent)
• Bite Register
• Pre-op Model or impression
• For Implants, indicate type, size, and brand of each implant
• Detail the expressed goals of Dr. and Patient
• Pictures: Include portrait, smile, teeth, shade tab, and stump shade photos

Diagnostic Wax-ups & Temporaries

• Full Arch Impression (NO triple trays)
• Stick Bite or Face bow (We prefer the Kois face bow system / Panadent)
• Bite Register
• Detail the expressed goals of Dr. and Patient
• Whatever pictures you find useful

Adjustments or Remakes

• Photo of Crown in place For adjustments that must be sent back, take a picture with the crown in place. (this is huge) If crown will not fit all the way down, that’s ok, simply make this clear to the technician.
• All items sent with original case

In addition, we would appreciate if you would send us a single picture of the final result, a big smile. Let the patient know that you are sending the pic to the guy/gal who made the crown. The patient may take it upon him or herself to send some appreciation to our technicians. These patient interactions are rare and can have a profound effect.

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