DENTAL LOUPES
The philosopher Tielhard de Chardin described man as a
cerebro-manual creature he however omitted to mention that the hands could not
treat what the eyes could not see.
Visibility can be a big problem in the oral cavity. With the
standards of dental treatment rising the world over it is very important for
the practicing dentist to impart the best care.
Even with the best materials at your disposal you can do your
best work only when you have proper visibility of the region. A lot of dentists
have adopted the use of fiber optics, magnification loupes and even microscopes
to increase precision in their work.
The use of microscopes in dentistry provides the following benefits:
Ø Magnified
image
Ø Brilliant
illumination
Ø Better
posture and improved comfort for the dentist
Ø Increasing
precision
Ø Improved
dental care
Ø Additional
treatment options
Ø Improved
profitability.
Magnification can be achieved by dental magnification loupes
or microscopes.
MAGNIFICATION LOUPES
Whilst
dental operating microscopes can provide staggering levels of magnification,
many routine dental procedures can be performed well with high quality loupes. For
dentists who are just beginning their dental clinics or whose main clinical practice
revolves around routine procedures like fillings, crown preparations, laminates
and veneer preparations a dental loupe would make a good investment for
improving precision and the end result would be excellent marginal integrity and improved aesthetics.
Also when compared to microscopes, loupes are also less
expensive and easier to use. Dental microscope finds its main followers amongst
endodontists, periodontists and surgeons. Whilst dental loupes are favored by
general dental practitioners. They are also more portable, practical and an
excellent flexible alternative to a microscope for procedures requiring less
animation.
HOW WOULD LOUPES BENEFIT YOU???
They will enlarge
the image allowing you to observe structures not visible to the naked eye. For
instance, they would help one to determine how far a crack proceeds along the
surface of the tooth. Loupes are also would help one to perform far more
precise levels of shaping or drilling teeth. It enlarges the view of teeth making
it easier to inspect teeth for decay and seething that would not ordinarily be
visible to the naked eye.
The level of magnification depends on the procedures being undertaken.
For general dental procedures such as caries removal and restorations,
magnifications of 2.5-3.0X are usually sufficient. But for periodontal surgeries,
Crown\Bridge preparations and endodontic procedures, higher magnification of
4.5-6.0X may be desired.
TYPES OF LOUPES AVAILABLE:
Ø TTL: The telescopes are fixed directly to the
lens of the glasses
Ø FLIP-UP DESIGN: Have the magnification telescopes mounted to
a hinge system. This means the telescopes can be easily flipped
up when not in use
ARE YOU ARE PLANNING TO BUY LOUPES???
These are a few pointers you should keep in mind when
selecting the loupes:
Ø Resolution
of the loupes is critically important.
Ø The
design and quality of the lens used in manufacturing the loupes will influence
resolution.
Ø It is difficult to establish
the resolution without trying the loupes and comparing them with others.
Ø You
should request a trial period from the manufacturer you are buying it from.
HOW MUCH WILL THEY COST YOU???
The cost
varies from brand to brand. But on an average it would be approximately
$200-300 (Rs. 10000-15000). Here is a list of few brands with links:
§ Light Weight (42g)
§ Good Field of View (10cm)
§ Good Field Depth (10cm)
§ Stylish Rudy Project frames
§ Good angle of declination (up to 35°)
§ Good resolution
§ Expensive (£1000 with Rudy Project frame)
§ Brilliant field of view (18cm at a 520mm working
distance- which is what I use)
§ Brilliant field depth (26cm at 520mm)
§ Cheap (£575)
§ Stylish S-Frames
§ Adjustable Angle of Declination (3 point-hinge system - i-view)
§ Heavy (60g)
§ Only Flip-Up available
§ Wide variety of frames (inc. the iconic Yeoman frame)
§ Light Weight
§ Very Expensive! (more than orascoptic)
§ Nike frames prone to breaking
§ Only TTL available
§ Oakley frames are stylish and comfortable
§ Cheaper than orascoptic or DFV
§ Good Field of View
§ Good Field Depth
§ Rumors of issues with customer service and warranty
§ Best optical quality
§ Heavy
§ Expensive
§ Lightest weight (36g)
§ Excellent eye protection
§ Side shields are prone to breaking
Written
and Edited by Dr. Aditi and Dr. Mahit Bhatt
