Dental Magnification
Loupes, Intraoral Cameras, Microscopes, Etc.
In Dr. Arturo Garcia's opinion,
among the most important investments a dentist should
make are in the area of vision:
1. Improved vision for the dentist, including loupes, dental microscopes, intraoral
cameras, digital cameras, and digital X-rays, and
2. Improved vision for the patient, which can be achieved with intraoral cameras,
television monitors,
digital cameras, digital X-rays, imaging software that displays these
images.
When dentists use intraoral photographs to explain their diagnostic
findings, patient understanding improves dramatically. The same investment
that will improve your ability to diagnose a case can give your patient
the ability to see the same thing you see.
Moving to other diagnostic aids, magnifying loupes are an undeniable asset
for the dentist in diagnosing and treating cases. Dr. Garcia believes that
most dentists now use
loupes. They have a short learning curve. When you try them, you will find
yourself wanting more magnification. Unfortunately, there is a
practical limit to the amount of magnification that loupes can provide.
For more magnification, a dentist would turn
to a dental microscope. With a dental microscope, you can adjust the level
of magnification or zoom. It will provide coaxial lighting (light in the
same direction as the line of view) and allow for ideal posture for
the dentist. S-video or digital camera attachments are great enhancements,
and will allow you to manipulate or display the image in many formats.
This dental microscope is the
ultimate instrument for intraoral examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Dr. Garcia believes that the dental microscope is an essential piece of
equipment for the restorative dentist.
Color photographs also help improve patient communication
dramatically. There may be no better way to demonstrate a patient's
condition and your proposed treatment than by using
color photographs and digital X-rays. And with photographs, the bigger the better.
Dr. Garcia uses intraoral
camera photographs, digital X-rays, and extraoral face and smile
photographs
in his consultations. He also uses a 42-inch plasma screen in his
consultation room to make the "truth" as big and bold as possible.
He says that his patients' reaction to these
visual tools is amazing. It helps them make the problem and the proposed
solution tangible. He feels that it is a mistake to discuss the treatment
and especially the payment before they fully understand the problem, and
that understanding comes best with the visual aids that this equipment
provides. With
cosmetic cases, computer imaging works very well to demonstrate to the
patient the effect your proposed treatment will have on their appearance.
Have an assistant trained to be able to spot a potential cosmetic case,
take a digital photograph of that patient, download that photograph to
your imaging computer, put a new smile on the patient, and show the
patient the print. A properly trained assistant can accomplish this in a
few minutes. Before you have even examined the patient, you may find that
he or she is beginning to ask what it will take to get a smile like the
photograph. It
also helps to have a library of your successful cosmetic cases to be able
to help patients visualize what you can do for them.
Enhanced visualization leads to enhanced communication, but it all starts
with the dentist. When dentists make the commitment to enhance their
vision, they are making a commitment to excellence, both in their
diagnostic and treatment skills
and in patient communication.
This is a commentary based on an article:
Visual enhancements aid both patient and practitioner.
that appeared in
Dental Economics February, 2003
by : Arturo Garcia DDS
www.pearlywhitesdental.com
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