the need for plaster models, paper, x-ray solutions, and film, contributing to reduced waste and increased sustain-ability in orthodontics. ¹ Improved Patient Comfort: Digital workflows have the potential to minimize gagging issues and enhance the overall experience for patients who appreciate technological advancements. Management Software There are several software options available for managing orthodontic patients. Dolphin and Open Dental are two of the most popular ones. 8 While most dentists use different software for their general practice (such as Dentrix or Eagle Soft) and use Dolphin to manage their orthodontic patients separately, Open Dental allows you to create an orthodontic chart inside the patient’s electronic chart so you can manage their treatments and payments related to orthodon-tics vs. other treatments efficiently without using a different software or creating extra records for the same patient. 8 are specifically designed for dentistry. For instance, the Shofu EyeSpecial C-V is a compact camera that is devel-oped exclusively for dental profes-sionals. It has a built-in ring flash and a macro lens that can capture high-quality images of teeth and gingiva. 9 Another option is the Olympus TG-6 with Diffuser FD-1, which is a pocket camera that is waterproof, shock-proof, and dust-proof. It also has a macro mode that can capture detailed images of teeth and gingiva. 11 Lastly, even a cell phone such as Samsung Ultra S22 can be used to take dental images. However, it is important to note that the quality of the images captured by a cell phone camera may not be as high as those captured by a dedicated dental camera. After taking pictures, you can upload them to third-party software such as Dolphin Imaging to orga-nize and store your patient’s records. 12 Dolphin Imaging is a soft-ware solution that allows dental specialists to capture, store, and import photographs, X-rays, slides, and other types of dental images. Pictures can be organized and arranged by templates that you can Camera Shofu EyeSpecial C-V Canon EOS 7D Mark II Nikon D7500 Canon Powershot G7X Mark II TG-6 Olympus Price $3495 $1799 $1199 $699 $449 Weight 590g 910g 640g 319g 253g Ease of Use Easy Moderate Easy Easy Easy Pre-Operative Records 1. Digital photography Digital camera technology has come a long way in recent years. The heavy and expensive DSLR camera with a 100mm macro lens and a ring flash can now be replaced with more affordable and portable options that Popular digital cameras. Price ranges are found on company websites and consultant websites listed below as of 1/3/2024. Shofu.com; Digitalworldbeauty.com; Decisionindentistry.com; Camaregurus.com; Oralhealthgroup.com www.orthodontics.com Winter 2024 17
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society JAOS Winter 2024: Page 17
