Digital radiology may represent the greatest technological advancement in medical imaging over the last decade. The use of radiographic films in x ray imaging might become obsolete in a few years. An appropriate analogy that is easy to understand is the replacement of typical film cameras with digital cameras. Images can be immediately acquired, deleted, modified, and subsequently sent to a network of computers.
Dental Operating Microscopes (DOM), or dental surgical microscopes, allow for ease of use and employ ergonomic design for the dentist while performing surgery. This enables the dentist to maintain a comfortable position and focus on the patient. Most dental surgical microscopes are controlled via foot pedal for hands-free operation. The main uses of DOMs are magnification and intense illumination for surgical and nonsurgical microendodontics. Many dental microscopes have a series of steps of magnification versus a continuous zoom. In addition to the basic microscope, there are also additional options available. Binocular heads allows another dentist, tech or student to simultaneously view a surgery, while a camera allows the images to be streamed to a cctv monitor so an audience can view the surgery, providing a valuable teaching tool. Installation options include wall mounting or a portable stand.
A dentist can diagnose and correct dental problems well enough with the use of a magnifying loupe or even the naked eyes, but with the growing need for dental surgery, the role of the dental microscope has become quite important in the field of dentistry. Nowadays, dental clinics around the world are using dental microscopes in performing cosmetic dental surgery like dental implants, teeth whitening and even root canals.
The Operation Microscope Versus the Standard Type
The operation microscope shares the basic features of the standard microscope that exist for observation and magnification purposes. However, the operation microscope will differ in terms of size, structure and quality.
- The standard microscope that people are familiar with are the ones found in the high school laboratories. The normal size would be at least fourteen inches high. They are quite heavy. They are usually stationed in one corner of the table where the observer has to be confined for purposes of examining specimens.
- Operation microscopes provide more flexibility to make it easier to conduct the task inside the operating room. They are more portable in their structure. Some can be small enough to be easily handled still with all the advance features in technology of optics and magnification. There are types that are especially structured to be worn by the surgeon in the head.
- These microscopes will factor in the instances when certain body parts have to be enlarged for the purpose of operation. The surgeon will use this to determine with more precision the affected area. The operation microscope can also serve as the eyes of the surgeon doing the operation.
But operating microscopes like the dental microscope can also be used in the diagnosing of caries or the decaying of the teeth. Microscope-assisted teeth cleaning and scaling are also being done since there are parts of the mouth that cannot be seen easily by the human eye and might be missed by the dentist while doing a regular dental examination. While dental check-ups done with either the naked eye or assisted by a loupe is still valid, looking at the patient’s teeth under the dental operating microscope would help the dentist to a thorough examination of the patient’s mouth.
On another hand, having a microscope standing between the dentist and the patient might lead to a feeling of exclusion from the patient. This is why there are some dental microscopes that can be attached to a camera or a monitor so that the images that the dentist is viewing under the microscope lens can be projected and seen by the patient. The dentist can also explain and point out to the patient where the dental problem is and what can be done to treat it.
With the use of a dental microscope to assist in surgery performed on the mouth to correct dentition and other dental problems, the dentist is assured that there would be less chances of overlooking any problems with the patient’s mouth and teeth. Regular dental check-ups are also recommended to avoid such dental problems from worsening.
Tarzana Endodontics
5567 Reseda Blvd.
Suite 100
Tarzana, CA 91356
Phone: (818) 319-4340
