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INTRODUCTION
Do you sometimes feel that you are “bending over backwards” for your patients? Many dentists have experienced back pain, and in fact, PubMed has 96 articles on “Back Pain in Dentists.” Why? Because of the intricate work that is demanded of us in our field of dentistry. There are magnification aides that can help us in our performance of dentistry while sitting in an upright position, affording better ergonomics with improved operator comfort. There are specialized devices that allow dental procedures to be done without having to be bodily over the patient with the head bent down in order to see into the oral cavity. In this article, we will take a look at a couple of magnifying video scopes (MVSs) that can assist both the operator and assistant in their daily work.
The use of the microscopes in dentistry was conceptualized by Dr. Harvey Apotheker in 1981.1 “The newest addition to vision enhancement…in dentistry is the operating microscope. In some medical subspecialties—such as otolaryngology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery—extensive microsurgical training is required to perform procedures at acceptable standards of precision.”2 As of 1998, the American Academy of Endodontics requires that all postgraduate endodontic students from accredited programs must become proficient in the use of the microscope.2 There are many advantages of the magnifying video scope and the use of captured images for our everyday practice of dentistry: ergonomics, treatment outcomes, communication and documentation, and education.
BETTER ERGONOMICS
The use of the MVS ensures that the dentist and assistant can sit upright in “a neutral (and) balanced posture which has been shown to help prevent ergonomic problems (that) seem to be an occupational hazard” (Figures 1 and 2). Using the MVS reduces tension, fatigue, and stress of the lower back and neck muscles.2 Longer procedures can be performed, and the dentist and assistant can work longer hours with less bodily stress.
One of the newest devices, the Explorer (CamSight) (Figure 3), has many advantages over typical microscopes used in dentistry. Due to the slim design of the Explorer, it can be easily moved and fits nicely into any operatory space. MagnaVu (Magnified Video Dentistry) is another digital operating microscope that has been used successfully in dentistry for many years.
IMPROVING TREATMENT OUTCOMES
Due to the increased magnification (Explorer with digital zoom up to 15x and MagnaVu at 23x), the ability to visualize the surgical field is vastly improved as compared to using the naked eye. According to microscope manufacturers, most current instrument sales are to general practitioners, who are using them for a wide variety of procedures.2 The microscope has the potential to enhance a dentist’s vision to unprecedented levels, according to Friedman, et al.2 Furthermore, dentists have begun to learn that illumination of the operating field is just as important as magnification. The Explorer utilizes a bright LED light which substitutes for the dentist’s operatory light (Figures 4 and 5).
The MVS can enhance the operator’s vision capabilities just as similar devices have been used in other medical specialties, such as otolaryngology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery.2 During the 1990s, many restorative dentists and periodontists followed the endodontists’ lead and began to incorporate the microscope into their everyday practice. Dr. Glenn van As3 has stated; “…The greatest increase in new users of the digital operating microscope has been from those clinicians familiar with using medium-powered loupes routinely.”3 It has been reported in the literature that as magnification is incorporated, procedural errors decrease significantly and the inclusion of a microscope resulted in fewer errors than when a set of loupes was used.1
BETTER COMMUNICATION AND DOCUMENTATION
The increased communication found with the use of the MVS affects the dentist in several different ways. The first is in communication with the assistant. The MVS aids the dental practitioner and the assistant in visualizing the treatment being performed more easily than the traditional methods. The dental assistant now has an unobstructed view of the operating field—the same view as the operator. This allows the assistant to become more aware of the operator’s needs; such as more light, readying for the next instrument to pass, etc. With the Explorer, the dentist and/or assistant can zoom in or out, focus, and adjust the intensity of the operating light coming through the camera’s lens (Figure 6). (This can be done utilizing both hand and foot controls.)
The second area of improved communication is with the patient and/or parent. Just as digital radiographs have allowed magnified images giving better views of the teeth and supporting structures, so does the MVS when used with a computer monitor. As a pediatric dentist, one of my challenges is to communicate with the patient’s parents. The MVS allows me to illustrate various procedures either as individual digital photographs or videos. By depressing a foot pedal, one can take and record these images for diagnostic and educational purposes. Many of my special needs patients, of all ages, love watching their dentistry performed on the computer monitor (only nonthreatening procedures are shown to our patients) (Figure 7). I use the MVS for my autistic patients as part of their conditioning program to allow them to watch the dental procedures so that they will see what’s happening in “real time.” I have used the live videos to illustrate tooth brushing and flossing techniques for the parents and children. Our office’s Web site (kidsmyl.com) has 2 videos to help introduce our new patients and their families to our practice; one video is on the “First Visit,” and another is on “Laser Dentistry.” These are excellent behavioral and practice management tools, in addition to helping us educate our patients and parents about our practice/practice philosophies.
The third area of communication is in the areas of treatment planning and documentation. With the MVS, tone has the ability to show patients their oral structures magnified, better demonstrating a fractured tooth or restoration, a periodontal problem, an oral lesion, etc. This can be illustrated to the patient in real time or recorded and shown at a subsequent visit. In the same way, these images can be used to show the patient his or her condition prior to and after the completion of a procedure. Lastly, the images can be stored and filed with the patient’s name and date of the procedure for future reference and documentation. Depending on the computer software that one has, storage of these images is possible in the patient’s electronic chart.
The fourth area of communication is the use of the digitally captured images for a consultation. In today’s world of cyberspace, I have had dentists send me e-mailed questions and photos from literally around the world. What a great tool we now have to capture magnified images in seconds, and then to send them in microseconds to other dentists throughout the world.
THE MAGNIFYING VIDEO SCOPE IN DENTAL EDUCATION
I have used video clips in my lectures for many years that enhance the educational tools that are available. These videos can also be sent live via broadcast teleconferences anywhere in the world or archived for future educational programs. These videos can be transferred to DVD, edited, and utilized for patient and/or dentist education. The MVS offers the dental educator to use the digital images and videos as an educational tool. I also utilize the Explorer for my over-the-shoulder presentations at my office.
SUMMARY
The MVS (such as the Explorer and the MagnaVu) allows the dentist and team to provide quality dentistry in a more comfortable position, for longer periods of time. This is especially important for complex surgical and extensive restorative/aesthetic cases. The procedures that would be enhanced via the MVS include: diagnostic, preventative care, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, orthodontic, implant, and laser dentistry.
References
- van As GA. Extreme magnification: seeing the light. ineedce.com/courses/1442/PDF/ ExtremeMagnification.pdf. Accessed November 23, 2009.
- Friedman M, Mora AF, Schmidt R. Microscope-assisted precision dentistry. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 1999;20:723-731.
- van As GA. Use of the dental operating microscope in laser dentistry: seeing the light. Journal of Laser Dentistry. 2007;15:122-129.
Dr. Margolis received his BS and DDS from The Ohio State University and his certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. He is a clinical instructor at Loyola University’s Oral Health Center and an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Dr. Margolis is in full-time private practice of pediatric dentistry in Buffalo Grove, Ill. He has lectured internationally and has received a Mastership from the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Dr. Margolis has contributed articles to both lay and professional journals. He is the author the book Beautiful Smiles for Special People, which is a course manual for dental personnel treating the disabled patient. He is co-author of a book, Pediatric Laser Dentistry, to be published by Quintessence in 2010. He can be reached at kidzdr@comcast.net.
Disclosure: Dr. Margolis receives honoraria for lectures from CamSight and honoraria and products from BIOLASE Technology.
