<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">From a clinical standpoint, many dentists struggle with capturing clear periodontal images using <a href="https://repair.dental/services/intra-oral-camera-repair/planmeca-intraoral-camera-repair"><span style="color:#2980b9">Planmeca</span></a><span style="color:#2980b9"> intraoral cameras</span>. The most frequent mistakes include incorrect focus, uneven illumination, wrong exposure settings, improper angulation, and failure to isolate soft tissue with retraction. These errors often produce blurry, shadowed, or color-inaccurate images, which compromise patient documentation and education. In daily practice, I see clinicians assuming that any handheld camera shot will suffice, but subtle optical and lighting nuances make a significant difference in periodontal imaging outcomes.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Why These Mistakes Happen</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Understanding the cause of each common mistake is essential for correction. Blurred images usually stem from improper focus or movement during capture, often due to inadequate stabilization of the camera or patient. Uneven illumination occurs when LED positioning or intensity is misaligned or when reflective saliva and tissue surfaces interfere with light distribution. Incorrect exposure settings can under- or overexpose gingival tissue, obscuring inflammation or plaque deposits. Angulation errors happen when the camera is not aligned parallel to the gingival margin or tooth surface, creating distortion or foreshortening. Many dentists also overlook the importance of retraction and moisture control, leading to shadows and reflections that reduce clarity.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">How to Avoid These Mistakes</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Correcting these issues requires a combination of technique and equipment knowledge. First, always stabilize both camera and patient during capture. Focus should be confirmed in the live preview before taking the image. Adjust LED intensity and ensure it illuminates the tissue evenly without glare. Use the correct exposure settings, tailored to gingival and tooth coloration, for optimal contrast. Position the camera at a consistent angle relative to the tooth surface and margin, maintaining parallel alignment for accurate representation. Soft tissue retraction and moisture control improve visualization and reduce reflections. Regular calibration of the Planmeca camera ensures consistent color reproduction and sensor performance. Incorporating these practices in daily workflow significantly improves periodontal imaging quality, enabling better documentation and patient communication.</span></p>

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              <img class="blog_editor_image" alt="Comparison showing common periodontal photography mistakes and corrected image settings in Planmeca intraoral cameras." height="353" src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/repair.dental/uploads/articles/side-by-side-comparison-of-poorly-exposed-periodontal-image-versus-correctly-adjusted-image-from-a-planmeca-intraoral-camera._result.webp" width="584" />
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                          <span class="">side by side comparison of poorly exposed periodontal image versus correctly adjusted image from a planmeca intraoral camera. result</span>
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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Professional Repair and Maintenance Considerations</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Even with proper technique, image quality may degrade over time due to lens scratches, LED dimming, sensor aging, or cable strain. Professional inspection and maintenance by Repair.Dental restore the Planmeca intraoral camera to optimal performance. Our workflow includes worldwide repair service, free shipping in the USA and Canada, discounted international shipping, and detailed diagnostics with estimates before repair. Lens, LED, and sensor calibrations ensure that cameras maintain consistent image quality for patient education. Standard turnaround is 2&ndash;3 business days, with complex sensor or optical repairs completed in 3&ndash;5 business days. Regular professional maintenance prevents minor issues from escalating and supports long-term clinical reliability.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Cost Transparency</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">From a clinical standpoint, maintaining proper camera settings is cost-effective compared with recurring image quality failures. Minor repairs, including lens cleaning or LED replacement, are lower in cost than sensor-level repairs or full camera replacement. Factors influencing cost include component wear, optical damage, and electronic degradation. Preventive maintenance reduces downtime, ensuring patient imaging remains uninterrupted and clinically reliable. Repair.Dental provides transparent pricing and warranties for all repaired components.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Prevention and Safe Handling</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Daily handling practices prevent many common mistakes. Clean lenses with approved non-abrasive solutions after each use. Inspect LED output and camera alignment weekly. Avoid dropping or twisting the camera head, and store equipment under recommended temperature and humidity conditions. Staff training on optimal camera positioning, focus, and retraction techniques minimizes human errors. Maintaining a structured photographic workflow ensures consistent, high-quality periodontal images that support both clinical documentation and patient education.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">FAQ: Planmeca Periodontal Photography</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>What causes blurry periodontal images?</strong><br />
Blurring is usually due to improper focus or camera movement during capture. Stabilization and correct focus verification in live preview prevent this.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>How do I fix uneven illumination?</strong><br />
Check LED positioning, intensity settings, and use tissue retraction to reduce shadows and reflections.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">Can exposure settings affect gingival color accuracy?<br />
Yes, under- or overexposure can misrepresent inflammation. Adjust settings to achieve true color reproduction.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>How often should calibration be done?</strong><br />
Professional calibration is recommended annually or after any repair affecting optics or sensor performance.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Do improper angles affect clinical documentation?</strong><br />
Yes, incorrect angulation distorts images. Maintain parallel alignment with tooth surfaces and gingival margins.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>Is professional maintenance necessary if I follow all correct settings?</strong><br />
Yes, lens scratches, LED degradation, and sensor aging can still occur. Scheduled professional maintenance preserves image quality.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px"><strong>When is repair better than replacement?</strong><br />
Repair is preferred for optical or electronic faults that can be restored. Replacement is only necessary for irreparable sensor or major structural damage.</span></p>

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<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:18px">Conclusion</span></strong></h2>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">From a clinical standpoint, accurate periodontal imaging is critical for documentation and patient education. Using correct <a href="https://repair.dental/services/intra-oral-camera-repair/planmeca-intraoral-camera-repair"><span style="color:#2980b9">Planmeca</span></a> camera settings prevents common mistakes that compromise image quality. Combining proper technique with preventive maintenance and professional repair ensures consistent, sharp, and color-accurate images. Dentists should integrate stabilization, illumination, exposure, angulation, and soft tissue management into their workflow and seek professional service when equipment degradation occurs to maintain clinical reliability.</span></p>

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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:18px">For more professional dental equipment repair insights, please visit <a href="https://repair.dental/"><span style="color:#2980b9">Repair.Dental</span></a> or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/repair.dental"><span style="color:#2980b9">Facebook</span> </a>&amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/repair.dental/"><span style="color:#2980b9">Instagram</span></a>.</span></p>


Clinical guide to common Planmeca camera mistakes and how to optimize settings for clear periodontal photography.

Periodontal Photography: Specific Camera Settings