A Technique for Obtaining Intra- and Extraoral Photographs

Abstract

Instantaneous and reproducible photographic records have been the aim of countless plastic surgeons, dentists, orthodontists, and others concerned with record taking for the cleft palate patient. Just to take a picture and immediately know the results is by no means enough. For useful records the patient should be placed in a fixed relationship to the camera and reproducible conditions of illumination should be insured. The ideal record for the majority of investigators is a reproducible image of one-fourth life size which is as free of distortion as possible. Although these requirements seem modest, their practical attainment has been the goal of many workers for many years. One of the first men to use Polaroid film for such purposes was Dr. B. Swain. In 1960 he demonstrated a camera device which was developed at the Department of Orthodontics, Fairleigh—Dickenson University. This device used an extended bellows to give four-to—one reduction at a set 30-inch object distance. Although the camera had many advantages, its specialized design placed limitations on accuracy and convenience. It could be used only for black-and—white photography. As part of a program to obtain greater accuracy and to facilitate record taking in the average clinical office, a re-evaluation of the clinical photographic problem seemed desirable. From previous experience in making photographic records of this type, it was clear that provisions must be made for the following needs: a) a fixator for positioning the patient , b) a framing device capable of orienting the patient in the same position at different times, 0) lighting of uniform intensity for both color and black—and-White film, d) easy storage and transportation of the unit, e)