A method for imaging the surface of a tooth, the method executed at least in part on a computer records a first set of images of the tooth, wherein each image in the first set of images is illuminated according to a pattern oriented in a first direction. A second set of images of the tooth are recorded, wherein each image in the second set of images is illuminated according to a pattern oriented in a second direction that is shifted more than 10 degrees with respect to the first direction. A first contour image is reconstructed according to the recorded first set of images and a second contour image according to the recorded second set of images. A residual image is formed as a combination of the first and second contour images. The residual image is analyzed and surface conditions of the tooth reported.
