Mobile dental photography: a simple technique for documentation and communication

Digital photography has already established its irrefutable importance in today's world. It is becoming an indispensable tool in various fields. In dentistry specifically, photography can be employed in several ways that can be beneficial to the patient and the dental community. It allows a simple and clear depiction of an otherwise abstract concept, but high-quality pictures are always required. The evolution of mobile cameras has made an enormous impact on digital photography and its accessibility: high-quality pictures can now be easily taken. This article explains the assets of smartphone cameras' evolution and how it led to the conception of Smile Lite Mobile Dental Photography. Applications of dental photography are presented, such as documentation and communication with the laboratory technician and the patient. Mobile dental photography is not confined to dentistry but can also be used for artistic purposes. (Quintessence Int 2020;51:510–518; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.a44365; Originally published (in German) in Quintessenz Zahnmedizin 2019(12);70:1408–1417) Keywords: communication, documentation, mobile dental photography, smartphone