Cosmetic dentistry beauty & science

20 I I special _ digital photography _Introduction to digital dental photography Dentistry as a profession can either be a source of immense satisfaction or a routine treadmill. One of the ways to enhance satis- faction is by using dental photography,1 which is a wonderful means to appreciate what can be achieved with current treatment, gratifying to both the clinician and patient, and helping to transform routine practice into a passionate pleasure. We are exceptionally fortunate that digital photographic equipment has evolved to the level we see today. The ability to capture numerous images on a high-capacity flash memory card and the ability to review the image on the liquid crystal display viewer immediately have liberated us from the confines of film and the inconveniences of the photograph-processing laboratory. This savings in time alone makes digital photography more affordable and less daunting than film photo- graphy is. It is fun, and so easy that anyone can learn to obtain great images with just a little training.2, 3 Please note that some small point-and-shoot cameras that are not digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are available and very useful for everyday practice. Small cameras however are not considered adequate2 for the calibre of photography presented in this article. Therefore, most of the discussion will concentrate on DSLRs. This article discusses specifically how to simplify the taking of digital images. Once you have set up your camera for digital dental pho- tography, very few adjustments are necessary cosmeticdentistry 3_2013 Fig. 1_Barrel of the lens with printed ratios. Fig. 1 Digital dental photography Settings for your camera and lighting systems Author_ Dr François Grossetti, France