Abstract
BACKGROUND
Clinical photography is a fundamental aspect of orthodontic treatment and has become critical to patient care, communication and documentation. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras with a ring flash have been established as a gold standard for clinical photography for many years, however smartphones are increasingly being utilized by both patients and clinicians due to their convenience, cost effectiveness and good accessibility.
AIMS/ OBJECTIVES
This study compared the image quality, dimensional accuracy, ease of use and accuracy of shade representation of images produced by recent flagship smartphones versus DSLR cameras with a ring flash.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A sample of four recent smartphones and three semi-professional DSLR cameras were compared taking a comprehensive set of orthodontic intra and extra oral clinical photographs. The following outcome measures were assessed for each device: Camera sensor size, image quality, ease of use, dimensional accuracy and colour shade representation.
RESULTS
DSLR cameras with a ring flash were statistically significantly superior to smartphones for camera sensor size, image quality rating and dimensional accuracy. There was no significant difference between all devices for their ease-of-use rating or accuracy of colour shade representation.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, the authors recommend the use of DSLR cameras with a ring flash as a gold standard for clinical photography due to reduced quality rating and image distortion produced by many smartphone cameras.
