An intra-oral imaging apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth has an image capture apparatus with an imaging sensor that is energizable to obtain image data and one or more optical elements for directing light from the tooth to the imaging sensor. An illumination apparatus has one or more light sources energizable to emit light and a spatial light modulator that is configurable to shape an illumination beam from the emitted light. One or more optical elements relay the shaped illumination beam toward the tooth surface. A control logic processor in signal communication with the imaging sensor obtains image data and in signal communication with the spatial light modulator shapes the illumination beam according to the obtained image data.
