Generic Intraoral Camera Setup Guide

This guide describes the installation and setup of generic intraoral cameras for use with Dentrix Ascend Imaging.

Overview

Dentrix Ascend Imaging supports the acquisition of intraoral images from many generic intraoral cameras on a computer running the Windows operating system.

Notes:

  • Prior to the installation of the camera, the acquisition agent application must be installed on each computer that will acquire images. Refer to Setting up the acquisition agent for instructions on downloading and installing the acquisition agent.

  • Some cameras do not have 64-bit drivers and, therefore, will not function properly in a 64-bit installation of Google Chrome. It is highly recommended that you check with the manufacturer of the camera for 64-bit drivers, and if none are available, you should use a 32-bit installation of Google Chrome. For more information on the installation of Google Chrome, visit www.google.com/chrome.

Configuration

To configure a generic intraoral camera, do the following:

  1. Plug your USB camera into the computer. Windows should detect it as a "USB Imaging Device."

  2. If you use a joystick button interface instead of proprietary buttons on your camera, do the following:

    1. Open the Acquisition Agent preferences by right-clicking the icon in the system tray and then selecting Preferences.

    2. On the General tab, under Joystick, select the Use Joystick with Generic Camera checkbox.

    3. The camera button will use a specific joystick number. This is typically zero if no other joysticks are installed on the computer. For Joy Number, enter a number from 0 to 10. If your camera has been installed to use a port other than zero, you must specify the correct joystick number.

      Note: Some cameras can be programmed to send keystrokes to Ascend Imaging. By programming the keystrokes for the camera, pressing S can trigger a short/quick button press, and pressing X can trigger a long button press.

    4. Click Done.

  3. In Dentrix Ascend, access the Imaging tab of a patient's clinical record. Then, select Acquire Images on the menu next to the Imaging tab.

  4. In the Imaging Procedures list, select 2D Oral/Facial Photo Images.

  5. On the Acquisition Method for this imaging exam menu, select Generic Intraoral Camera.

  6. Click Proceed with Acquisition.

  7. If a Google Chrome notification appears regarding whether or not to Dentrix Ascend to access the camera, click Allow.

    Note: If your computer has a built-in webcam, Google Chrome may choose it by default.

  8. If there is more than one camera connected to the computer, or if the computer has a built-in webcam, Google Chrome may not select the intraoral camera (such as an Iris camera) by default. If this happens, to select the desired camera, do the following:

    1. Click the camera icon (in the upper-right corner of the snapshot panel).

    2. Select the option that corresponds to the desired camera, and then click Change Source.

      Note: You may need to be restart the browser for the changes to take effect.

  9. To access basic camera settings, click the cog icon (in the upper-right corner of the snapshot panel).

Testing

The camera is now functional in Dentrix Ascend Imaging. To acquire a test image, do the following:

  1. After you have configured the camera and started an acquisition, a live video stream from your camera appears.

    With the camera properly positioned, use the button on your camera to pause of freeze the live video stream (or click Pause Streaming).

  2. Use the button on your camera to capture the current video frame (or click Take a snapshot). The resulting image is added to the snapshot panel, and the video stream automatically becomes live again.

  3. Repeat steps 1-2 as needed to acquire additional snapshots.

  4. On the snapshot panel, clear the check box of the snapshots that you do not want to save.

  5. Click Assign Images.

  6. Do any of the following:

    • To save one or more snapshots as intraoral images and assign tooth numbers, select the snapshots that pertain to the same teeth (deselect snapshots that do not pertain to the same teeth), and then drag them to the Select Teeth, UR/UL/LR/LL, Upper Jaw, or Lower Jaw box.

      If you drag snapshots to the Select Teeth box, select the applicable teeth, and then click Assign Teeth.

    • To save one or more snapshots as extraoral images, select the snapshots that are extraoral images (deselect snapshots that are not extraoral images), and then drag them to the Extraoral Photos box.

    • To save the snapshots on the snapshot panel as intraoral images, but not assign tooth numbers, leave those snapshots on the snapshot panel.

    Assigned intraoral images appear on the left side of the preview area; extraoral on the right.

    Note: If you have a mix of intraoral and extraoral images, they map to one procedure (D0350), which will appear in the progress notes with two icons. Also, you can delete or reassign the intraoral or extraoral exam as needed in the future.

  7. Click Begin Uploading.

Troubleshooting

To confirm that the camera device driver is loaded and recognized by Windows, do the following:

  1. Plug the camera into a USB port.

  2. Open Device Manager.

  3. Expand the Imaging Devices or Cameras category, and make sure that the camera is listed.

  4. If your camera is not being detected by Windows, or if it appears with an error message, try unplugging the camera and plugging it into another USB port on the computer. If the problem persists, contact the camera manufacturer for additional assistance.