Dental loupes are becoming an important tool for all clinicians. Allowing for a closer and more detailed inspection of even the smallest oral features, dentists will find themselves using loupes on a daily basis. A good set of loupes will offer increased precision for the dentist using them, helping to achieve the best possible results for their patients.
Appropriate magnification will enhance the outcome of treatments and help to improve the posture of the user. The way in which a clinician positions themself at chairside is incredibly important, if they find they are arching over their patient they can soon develop neck and back problems. There have unfortunately been many cases of clinicians retiring early citing persistent back problems as the cause. With dental loupes though, clinicians are able to sit upright, allowing for a straighter back and improving their posture. Using proper dental loupes will be beneficial for anyone, whether it be a dental student or an experienced practitioner.
With many loupes now being built with specific objectives taken in to consideration, it isn’t surprising that different loupes will be more suitable than others for certain jobs. Some loupes have been built with surgery in mind, these are lightweight and provide magnifications of 2x or 2.5x, surgical loupes will give greater clarity for the procedures that require it the most.
Dental students looking to buy their first pair of loupes may be startled by the amount of options available to them. Through-the-lens (TTL) loupes are a lightweight option which have optics fixed to the lens of the frame. The loupes themselves are individually customised to the working distance of the user and offer a larger field of view as the optics are closer to the eye, it is because of this that they tend to be more expensive. Flip-up loupes may present a far more attractive option to students on a budget. As the name suggests the optics can be flipped up and out of the way when not needed. They are also more adjustable, allowing for the user to alter the angle of declination. They are however a little heavier than TTL loupes and have a narrower field of view. Often dental students are unable to afford to invest in a decent pair of loupes first time around and instead opt for a pair which are cheaper and of a lower quality, this can result in a multitude of problems. Loupes that aren’t specifically designed for their user can lead to the user straining their eyes and may potentially be the cause of back problems.
Eventually a student or young dentist will find the need for a better set of loupes and will be forced in to buying a higher specification pair, effectively buying twice. It therefore makes sense to make sure the first investment in a pair of loupes is the right one.
Loupes can broaden the repertoire of any dentist. It is now possible to buy loupes that offer laser protection for any clinicians who offer laser treatments at their practice. Despite being built with this intention in mind, the quality and attention to detail of these loupes are not hindered, as they still more often than not offer excellent visualisations.
With the assistance of a headlight the potential of a set of loupes is optimised, as well as reducing the risk of the clinician straining their eyes. Dental headlights are lightweight and will help push your loupes to the limits of their capability, offering a more comprehensive viewing of the treatment site than with loupes alone. Not only will a dental headlight help make even more visible, but the illumination will make what you can see appear crisper and sharper. The convenience of a headlight becomes particularly apparent when identifying fine fractures or trying to match tooth colours.