Welcome to the definitive guide to dental loupes, also known by many other names, such as dental loupes, surgical loupes, magnifying loupes, binocular loupes or magnifying glasses for dentists. Next, we are going to explain all the peculiarities of a tool that has become essential for many dentists in their day-to-day lives.
What are dental loupes?
Dental loupes are an optical instrument that allows you to see an enlarged image of the object that is being observed. These are glasses that incorporate a magnification system in each lens.
It is a work tool that allows the dentist to work more comfortably and perform any type of procedure with more precision.
Benefits of using dental loupes
The advantages of using dental loupes in patient interventions can be summarized in five large blocks:
Improves visualization of the patient's oral cavity: Thanks to a better view of any detail, a better diagnosis and treatment is achieved.
They improve the ergonomics of the dentist: As we explain in detail in this article, surgical loupes help prevent injuries to joints, muscles and ligaments of the neck, shoulders and back. These ailments, which are suffered by more than 80% of dentists, are caused by forced postures and inclinations towards the patient with angles greater than 30%.
Reduces eye fatigue: It causes less stress on the lens, which contributes to the delay of presbyopia. It also allows a more comfortable work both in long interventions, and throughout the work day.
They promote high performance: Widening the field of vision allows dentists to work more comfortably, better and longer without straining the eyes, neck and back, so they are more efficient.
They give a greater image of professionalism: The perception of the patient is of greater confidence when seeing that there are tools that will help to make the diagnosis and treatment the best possible.
How to choose dental loupes and get it right?
As we detail in this step-by-step guide to choosing dental loupes, it would be a mistake to buy a model without having tried it first. To make sure that the magnifying glasses are of high quality, look at an image of a small object with straight black lines, like the one shown below:
If the resolution of the lenses is bad, you will not see those lines completely straight and clear, but a little wavy, blurred or with a blue hue next to black.
To do the test, the working distance must be taken into account while maintaining correct postural ergonomics. This distance depends on factors such as the anatomy of the dentist or whether he works sitting or standing.
Another aspect to take into account when choosing the dental loupes that best suit each dentist is the level of magnification. This usually varies depending on personal preferences, although there are some specialties that require more or less increase. Generally recommended:
- 2.5x / 3.0x / 3.5x in implantology, dental hygiene or general dentistry.
- 3.5x / 4.0x in endodontics or periodontics.
- 4.5x / 5.0x and more in maxillofacial surgery or laboratory work.
Another important aspect is that you have to feel comfortable with the magnifying glasses on. It is just as important that they are light, as that they have a good weight compensation between the nose bridge and the frame of the glasses. They must adapt as best as possible to the physiognomy of each user.
Finally, it is advisable to move your head sideways, up and down to verify that the field of view is wide and the magnifiers focus correctly from various angles.
Opinions of dentists who use binocular loupes
Dr. Laura Warburton, recognized with the “Prosthetics” award for excellence, has always been in favor of surrounding herself with the most innovative technology in her clinic to favor her daily work and the results of her interventions.
Since his beginnings as a dentist he has always used dental loupes, recognizing that after so long it would be impossible to get rid of them. He assures that “they have become an essential tool in my work. I am fully aware that without them I would not be able to work, they are a vitally important element to ensure the success of my interventions”.
Another dentist who gives her opinion on dental loupes is Melanie Joyce , specializing in dental therapy after six years as a nurse. “As a dental nurse I needed a good field of vision to make sure the patient was suctioning correctly and to be able to closely follow the treatment being applied, something that interested me a lot for my future profession. Sometimes the professional I was assisting joked with me saying that if I got closer, I would end up falling on the patient, but it was the only way to get the maximum possible view of the intervention,” he says.
Joyce adds that “as a dental therapist the same thing happened to me, I tried to get as close to the patient as possible to achieve a full field of vision, but I felt that I was lacking light. Also, my back was continually hurting due to strained posture, and that was the factor that just convinced me to try dental loupes. Once you have used them, you wonder how you have been able to work for so long without them.”