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Dentistry with Shane Smith DDS
Dentistry with Shane Smith DDS
This blog is about my experiences as a small 3 operatory dental practice owner in Jonesboro, AR.
Blog By:
shanesmith
shanesmith

Microscopes in General Dentistry

7/20/2023 9:37:11 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 76
Investing in technology has improved my satisfaction and enjoyment in my practice. Since I am currently limited to 3 operatories, it is important to leverage equipment and systems to maximize efficiency with the added benefit of providing value for the patient. I previously wrote about utilizing a CBCT. A similar integration into my practice has been a microscope.

In dental school, our class had a group purchase for Surgitel loupes. I followed the recommendation of starting out with a 2.5x magnification optics with their light. This set of loupes has been my basis for comparison with my next purchases. I used them routinely for about 8 years and they served me well. They were lightweight and helped improved my posture over using no magnification. They were dependable. I still use them occasionally for events like Mission of Mercy etc.

In 2020 I got the urge to look at something better. I heard Designs for Vision were the brand to get. I invested a good 3 grand into the top of the line panoramic loupes with their light. The upgrade in visibility was very apparent. Everything was crystal clear and the light was crisp. The added field of vision was nice especially with the 4x magnification. I did not enjoy the weight of them though. They felt like a brick weighing down the front of my face. I worked in higher volume office and felt the exhaustion towards the end of the day. I kept a massage therapist scheduled monthly.

A year later I came across an opportunity to purchase the practice I am currently at. The clinic was outfitted with some pretty good equipment that I had an interest in using. It was equipped with a Global G6 microscope. There was a learning curve to get through from transitioning from loupes to a scope. I was used to moving around a lot and adjusting my position often. This changed when I was working through the scope. I had to get my correct seated position and move the patient to fit that. It was weird at first but after a while, I could easily maintain my posture. I was sitting upright at 90 degrees. My chair had armrests. I was relaxed and could stay focused for a long time without tiring out. After about a month of using the microscope and getting through learning period I noticed I wasn't leaving work completely wore out. I didn't go home to have to rest on the couch all night. It was a revitalizing change for my career.

After getting used to the microscope I could really enjoy the benefits of using it. It is a game changer for endo. My stress level dropped dramatically with using the scope. I went from worrying about how I was going to feel after an hour of molar endo to knowing that I am about to get to sit down with the scope and essentially chill for an hour with no interruption. It made me like doing root canals. A difference between loupes and the scope is the direct beam of light that casts no shadows in the field of vision of the scope. I can aim straight down canals and see what is down them versus a black dot of the orifice through loupes. The picture I see through a scopes looks like the high definition macro photos we see the Instagram dentists take. I can maintain perfect visibility through a small access in a zirconia crown with the microscope.

It benefited other procedures too. Seeing my crown preps through a scope is like seeing your prep on a computer screen using an intraoral scanner. I remember how enlightening the first time seeing that was. It motivated me to get glassy smooth margins. Seeing decay is easier too. The sheer amount of light helps see the contrasting color and sheen of decayed dentin and solid tooth structure. Most of the time during extractions, I treat without the scope. It has saved me when trying to see broken pieces of root tips deep in the socket. The direct light and no shadows makes that work easy. I can differentiate the tissues easily and be able to remove bone precisely.

I hope if someone reads this and is on the fence of buying a microscope. It has been absolutely worth it for me. Even the old Global scope is way better than a pair of loupes. I'm running a small dental office in Jonesboro, Arkansas that is still in its early stage of growth. Using a microscope has been a huge benefit to the growth and satisfaction of my practice.

If anyone has any questions about using a microscope, I would love to share my experience.
Feel free to visit my website for more information on my practice!
Category: Health, Wellness and Ergonomics
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