Q: I've been using an analog Telicam intraoral camera for over 10 years and looking to upgrade to digital for ease of use on downloading and managing images. I'm considering the Digital Doc Icon and the Dexis Dexcam 3. We are currently running Dentrix/Dexis software. Any thoughts on comparison between these two systems or others you would recommend? Price, though always a consideration, is not my driver.
A: This is always one of my favorite questions because usually the answer is very straightforward. Since you are using a combination of Dexis and Dentrix, you need to see which intraoral camera integrates best with your Dexis imaging software. The two choices you are considering will integrate with your imaging software.
So now you need to get down to ergonomics and picture quality. My first suggestion would be to contact both companies and have a representative come to your office so that you can try the cameras firsthand. How do they feel? Are they comfortable to use? Are the control buttons easily reached and manipulated? If the camera is not comfortable or easy to use, the quality of the picture won't matter if you aren't comfortable with the camera to begin with.
Once you have answered the issue of usability, you need to look at image quality. Take some intraoral pictures and determine which one you like best.
Now the answer should be simple. Both cameras should give you more than adequate pictures. But since you asked my opinion, the Digital Doc cameras produce excellent pictures. Other cameras to consider are the Acteon 717 and the new Kodak 1500.
Ultimately, however, the purchase of any camera is a personal decision. So I suggest you try them all and see which one best suits your needs.
Martin Jablow, D.M.D., is a practicing dentist and a self-professed technophile who lectures and blogs on a variety of technologies used in dentistry (dentechblog.blogspot.com). If you have a technology question for Dr. Jablow, e-mail it to us at [email protected].
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