Optimize the Omnicam with 90 Degrees

The revolutionary Omnicam from Sirona is the best intraoral scanning device in dentistry today. Its simplicity and ergonomic shape allow the user to easily scan throughout the mouth. This renders a three-dimensional, full color model that can be used for fabricating any dental material.

One main advantage to this camera is that poor imaging is virtually eliminated, even for the novice user. Simply gliding it over the teeth allows one to “build” a digital model. As simple as it may be, keeping one key concept in your mind will develop more complete models and in less time: 90 degrees.

The light from the Omnicam obviously goes in a straight line and any surface that is somewhat perpendicular to it will reflect back to the camera quite easily. This quickly builds the model. However, surfaces that are parallel to the camera will have more difficulty. This typically happens in embrasure areas and areas where the clinician did not completely rotate the model for the camera to see.

Therefore, this is the key to success with 90 degrees: be aware of the camera angle to the buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth while imaging. Are you angling the Omnicam as close to perpendicular as possible?

Are there surfaces that do not fill in as quickly as others? Make small adjustments of the angle with a roll, pivot or tilt of the camera, and you will see voids fill in nicely. You will discover that repositioning the camera closer to the optimal 90 degrees will enhance your three-dimensional digital scanning.