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Guidelines When Photographing Teeth

For purposes of shade selection it is better to use manual focus at a specific magnification (1:2) to prevent the blurring of needed details within the oral environment.  Set magnification first and then adjust your distance to properly focus.  Always include the selected shade tabs in the frame, either above or below, on the same focusing plane, parallel to the teeth being photographed and hold the camera parallel to the teeth as well.  This will help capture color a bit more accurately.  Try to keep the retractor out of the photo.

Frontal View

Maxillary And Mandibular Teeth

1. Lips Retracted, Teeth  Occluded in

     Maximum Intercuspal Position.

    *Focus on the maxillary central

      with camera held parallel to the

      surface of the anteriors.

    *Include full arch in frame, from

      molar to molar.

2. Lips Retracted and Teeth Slightly 

      Apart.

   *Focus on the maxillary central

     with camera held parallel to the

     surface of the anteriors.

   *Include full arch in frame, from

     molar to molar.

Side View

Maxillary And Mandibular Teeth

1. Lips Retracted and Occluded In

     Maximum Intercuspal Position.

    *Include central to second

      molar in the frame.

    *Focus on the cuspid.

2.  Lips Retracted Teeth Slightly

      Open.

    *Include central to second

      molar in the frame. 

    *Focus on the cuspid.

Frontal View

Maxillary Anteriors

1. Lips Retracted, Mouth Open,

     Span Maxillary Cuspid To     

     Cuspid

    *This is a close-up view of only

      the maxillary teeth.

    *Focus on either the centrals or  

      laterals.

    *Purpose is to see the 

      embrasures, soft tissue and

      analyze tooth structure.

     *Photograph with the use of  a 

     *black anterior contraster and

       then again without the use of

       the black contraster.

Frontal View Mandibular Anteriors

1. Lips Retracted, Mouth Open,

     Span Mandibular Cuspid to

     cuspid.

    *This is a close-up view of only

       the mandibular teeth.

     *Focus on either the centrals or

       the laterals.

     *Purpose is to see the

       embrasures, soft tissue and

       analyze tooth structure.

     *Photograph with the use of a

       black anterior contraster and

       then again without the use of

       the black contraster.

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