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10.5005/jp-journals-10001-1101
Clinical Photography for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice
REVIEW ARTICLE
affects the amount of light reaching CCD is aperture. between the camera body and the lens for obtaining greater
Aperture is defined in fraction numbers called F-stop. magnification (Fig. 3).4,8 Images are transferred to the PC
F-stop is also inversely proportionate to the size of the lens via card reader or direct connection of camera. Transferred
opening (Fig. 2). It is of great importance to consider these images can be printed using a color printer.5
basic photographic concepts when evaluating clinical
photography in more details.2
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backrest are beneficiary for constant position of the head DATA STORAGE
and spine relative to the camera. The photographer should
Patient files should be archived and stored with maximum
notice alignment of picture with middle axis of occlusal
security. Unauthorized access to patient’s file must be
plane. It is noteworthy that extraoral pictures should be
prevented for confidentiality. Databases should contain
captured in portrait view and intraoral pictures should be
password-protected log-in facility for safety.5,17 Informed
taken in landscape view. Photographs should be taken at
right magnification and orientation. 5,13 Pre- and consent is required for personal data storage. Backups are
postoperative photographs must be equal for accurate regularly required for potential data loss due to system crash.
comparisons and reproduction ratios. In addition, the inter- Classification of images is recommended based on patient
pupillary plane needs to be parallel to the floor for accurate name and diagnosis. The advantage of organized database
assessment. Red eye effect and shadows can be eliminated is to facilitate data retrieval.17,19 In an effort to improve
using direct light flash toward the patient.13 Any distracters photodocumentation, satisfactory picture of the session
like handles, knobs, jewelry and other materials should be should be selected and labeled immediately after
removed before photographing. It is also important to photography. Intraoral images taken with mirror need to be
instruct patients before taking pictures. Morphology of soft flipped for adjustment of the picture into its real position
tissues and skeletal pattern may be misrepresented if patients before storage.17,18
are wrongly positioned or tilted.13
For a detailed description of the standardized CONCLUSION
photographic sets of facial views the reader is referred to
It is important for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to aware
articles by Ettorre et al5 and Schaaf et al.17
of principles of photography and all the possible mistakes
MOST COMMON MISTAKES in extra- and intraoral clinical photography, to enhance the
chances of obtaining high quality images.
Technical errors usually seen in clinical photography are
divided into two different categories. The first group is REFERENCES
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Plast Reconstr Surg 1991;88(2):373-74. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
17. Schaaf H, Streckbein P, Ettorre G, Lowry JC, Mommaerts MY,
Seyed Amir Danesh-Sani
Howaldt HP. Standards for digital photography in cranio-
maxillofacial surgery—Part II: Additional picture sets and Dental Researcher, Department of Dental Research Center
avoiding common mistakes. J Craniomaxillofac Surg Mashhad Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
2006;34(7):444-55. Iran, e-mail: amirds_dds@yahoo.com