Challenges with use of an intra-oral camera for teledentistry in research and practice

Abstract

Teledentistry, with the use of an intra-oral camera (IOC), can overcome numerous challenges. The visual nature of oral diseases and dental treatments is ideal for practising teledentistry, especially during COVID-19. Images or videos of the oral cavity to evaluate caries, plaque, calculus, tooth wear, flu-orosis, and stains can be captured by a trained and calibrated examiner with IOC. The IOC was shown to be a reliable tool to identify common oral diseases. Certain limitations like low illumination can be overcome by using IOC as they are equipped with a light-emitting diode which can offer superior visualisa-tion and inbuilt magnification of the oral cavity. However, there is a possibil-ity of overestimation of the disease. IOC can also be used for patient education through the “show and tell” concept in real-time like showing the areas where the disease may be a concern like plaque, calculus, and early signs of tooth decay. However, it may be challenging to diagnose diseases remotely in real-time and simultaneously seek specialist consultations and recommendations relating to the treatment protocols for numerous conditions. This manuscript reviews the challenges concerning communication, ethics, team-work, consumables, data storage, and analysis which could be encountered with the use of IOC in this era of teledentistry and COVID-19.