While dentists have helped people preserve their oral health for thousands of years, new technologies continue to offer novel ways to save teeth and detect dental infections. One remarkable tool that emerged in recent decades is the intraoral camera, which allows a dentist to get close and detailed views of their patients’ oral tissues. Here’s a brief guide to a few of the amazing benefits intraoral cameras can deliver.

You’re in the dental chair for your routine checkup, and the hygienist asks you to bite down while positioning a small plastic tab in your mouth. Before you know it, the X-ray machine hums quietly, and just like that, a snapshot of your teeth is taken. But have you ever wondered why dentists take X-rays during a checkup, especially if your mouth feels just fine? Keep reading to learn why they are important and necessary.