Dental Asia March/April 2019

In Depth With
Extending Dental Operating
Fields with Loupes
TTL loupes, a light mounted at the centre
of the forehead ensures the light path is
always in the centre of the visual field
allowing eyes to focus without the need
to constantly change position.
Despite the growing popularity
of wearing loupes in practice,
especially within the field
of endodontics, some
misconceptions still exist. Those
who have not yet adopted magnification,
especially younger practitioners and
dental students, often think loupes are
unnecessary until their natural vision
begins to decline, which is generally
considered to be around the age of
40. But nothing could be further from
the truth. If a practitioner is trained to
perform the intricacies of endodontics,
whatever their age, they should consider
themselves ready to use magnification.
Loupes are designed to significantly
improve the visual acuity of practitioners,
regardless of their age, quality of eyesight
or whether they already wear prescription
glasses or contact lenses. It may come as a
surprise but wearing prescription glasses
is no barrier to practitioners planning
to use loupes in practice. Today’s loupe
manufacturers are able to adjust their
loupes to accommodate a prescription
regardless of the style of loupe chosen
or whether they are through-the-lens
(TTL) or front-lens-mounted (FLM) flip up
loupes. It’s all about flexibility, personal
preference and accommodating every
individual’s specific needs.
Making the investment
Working as specialists in fields such as
endodontics takes time and investment.
Hence, it is worth practitioners considering
investing in their eyesight as well. It
is not simply about magnification but
also improving visual acuity. Loupes
are beneficial for a long, enjoyable and
healthy dental career thanks to:
• Enhanced precision leading to more
accurate diagnosis and the ability to
deliver the most appropriate treatment
• Reduced eye strain thanks to loupes
providing far clearer access to the oral
cavity
• Reduced risk of musculoskeletal
disorders
There has been growing concern within
the dental profession about the risk of
eye strain and musculoskeletal disorders
as a result of dental posture. Correctly
fitted loupes can significantly improve
posture during treatment, by allowing
practitioners to work in an upright and
neutral position. This in turn helps to
reduce strain on the head, shoulders,
neck and back which can have serious
implications on the quality of life of
practitioners, potentially leading to more
serious injury and even early retirement.
Avoiding the strain
A long day in the surgery requires high
levels of concentration and can be
extremely tiring on the eyes and the body,
especially when working with insufficient
lighting. One of the most significant ways
of eliminating eye strain and muscle
fatigue on a daily basis is to use loupes
with an additional LED headlight. Whether
practitioners choose to use flip-up or
The latest and most innovative LED lights,
such as Firefly ® , increase light levels
significantly above those produced by
traditional dental lights, providing uniform
and natural-colour output, and should
be considered as an integral part of a
loupe purchase. A headlight to meet the
demands of endodontics needs preferably
to be lightweight, powerful and cordless,
eliminating the need for heavy power
packs and any unwanted disruptions
from cable snags or cables blocking the
field of view.
The ideal combination
Without a doubt, the use of magnification
is becoming the standard of care for all
dental treatments, and endodontics in
particular. The use of lightweight dental
loupes with several magnification options
can improve an endodontist’s diagnostic
and treatment capabilities to see and
treat conditions simply not visible to the
naked eye.
When it comes to choosing the right
loupes and headlight system, PeriOptix
offers an ideal solution. As a leader in
magnification and illumination, their
lightweight frames and headlight designs
support better ergonomics, resulting in
less strain on the neck and back ultimately
leading to an overall more comfortable
working experience. Available as readymade
and custom-made loupes in a choice
of magnifications, PeriOptix are suitable
for everyone from dental students through
to the most experienced endodontist
alike. The more you practice and the
earlier you practice with loupes and lights
- the better the outcome will be. DA
To find out more about PeriOptix loupes
visit:
www.denmat.com/loupe-configurator
MARCH / APRIL 2019 DENTAL ASIA 83