CROWN TECH INDUSTRIES.COM

Using Photography

Proper photography can greatly advance your practice. See how we use photography and what we need from you when shipping cases.

Our Guidelines

If we can't see the patient for pictures and study models, they must be provided. This is essential in the final quality of our product. So when taking pictures, we need the following:

(Click the links to see an example)

1. Upper Anterior Picture (1) - A picture of the upper anterior teeth. We ask that retractors are used to fully expose the margin of at least the first six anterior teeth.

2. Lower Anterior Picture (1) - A pictures of the lower anterior teeth. Again, we ask that retractors are used to fully expose the margin of at least the first 6 anterior teeth.

3. Bite Picture - A picture of 6 upper anterior teeth and six lower anterior teeth closed.

4. Tooth Profile Pictures (2) - One picture from the right, and one picture from the left. This allows us to see the contour of the tooth as well as how it reacts to light from different angles.

5. Facial Smiling Picture (1) - One picture of the patients full face, including hair and neck, while they are smiling. This is very important in how we build, as we must take into consideration skine tone and shape.

6. Facial Profile Picture (2) - One picture from the left and one picture from the right of the patients full face, while naturally smiling.

7. Prepared Tooth Picture (1) - One of the prepared tooth with a shade tab. This allows us to see the stump shade, which is crucial for all porcelain restorations.

8. Shade Tab Picture (1) - One picture using a shade tab adjacent to the prepared tooth.

9. Intra Oral Picture - If it is a posterior, an Intra Oral picture is required.

Digital Photography

With the invention of the digital camera, taking pictures in dentistry has never been easier. It is our belief that both the Dentist and the laboratory should always be taking pictures throughout case development. This not only proves useful in documentation, but in assessing and presenting patient results and evaluating different techniques or approaches to a specific case.

How we use pictures

Using a professional grade camera with an extensive flash set up and proper photographical dental equipment, pictures are taken of the patient. After the pictures are taken they are transferred directly to one of several computers for each of our technicians. From there, our ceramist will actually build the tooth, teeth or reconstruct the whole mouth according the the patients natural teeth, skin tone, shape of face and many other factors that can only be truly expressed through proper photography

Using Photgraphy

Whenever possible, Crown-Tech likes to see the patient to take a shade and before picture. When a patient is not able to come to or facility to be photographed, we require that pictures be burned on a disc and mailed with the case, or emailed to us (please do not print pictures as printers are not accurate and consistent). Of course, we still accept film pictures. All you have to do is include them in the shipping case. If you have not jumped on the digital bandwagon yet - give us a call. We can help you find a camera that will give you great results and fit into your budget. As soon as you start implementing proper photography into your practice you will see a great leap in results and efficiency, and not only from the laboratory side.