Published September 2026

1 of 6Photos and models are simple records of how things look today, not treatment
  1. Photos and models are simple records of how things look today, not treatment
  2. A small camera captures photos of the smile and teeth
  3. A scan or a quick impression captures the shape of the teeth
  4. Both go into the file, ready for planning
  5. Months later, at a follow-up visit, the same photos are taken again
  6. Placed side by side, they show what changed and what stayed the same

Who usually does it

general dentist. Common in general, orthodontic and cosmetic offices.

One question worth asking

Will these records be used for planning, and can I get a copy?

Dental photographs

Check-ups and X-raysNot usually coveredD0350

D0350. Regular 2D photos of the face or teeth, used for records and before-and-after comparison.

Photographs of the face or teeth and plaster or digital models of the teeth help the dentist plan treatment and show you the before and after. These are records, not treatment.

Photos are taken with a small camera and cheek retractors, and models come from a quick impression or a digital scan. They record how things look and fit today so the dentist can plan and compare later. Nothing is treated at this visit. Most plans do not pay for records on their own, so ask the office how they are billed.

Dental photographs (D0350): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar