Using the Operating Microscope in Dentistry

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.

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.

A dental microscope has a binocular eyepiece that would give the dentist or oral care specialist a three-dimensional or stereoscopic view of the patient’s mouth. This type of microscope can also be equipped with zoom capacity as well as several objectives for better magnification. This would be especially helpful in fields of dentistry like endodontics, where the main concern is the tooth pulp, the gums and the surrounding areas. Endodontists perform more delicate operations on the teeth like root canal, and the employment of an operating microscope is crucial in their field of specialization.

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.

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