Clinical photographs: the gold standard, an update

This survey is an update of a survey that was originally carried out in 1999 and published in 2001. Over the last 10 years the prevalence of digital photography in orthodontics has increased beyond measure and the study was to document any effects of this change.

The opinions of 69 orthodontists from many European countries, as to what would be considered good practice with regards to intra and extra-oral photography with modern digital camera equipment, were sought. A written survey was distributed to the participants and collected by hand a few minutes later, once completed. A comparison was then made between current practice and what was considered best practice at the turn of the millennium.

The main change was the widespread move from conventional to digital photography throughout Europe. This has resulted in a reduction in the cost of photographing each and every case on multiple occasions throughout treatment.

The move to digital photography offers many advantages to orthodontists. High quality photographic documentation is almost routinely taken throughout treatment with little direct cost to the clinician.