Microscope User Group Newsletter - Issue #3
Welcome
Welcome to the third edition of our user group newsletter. This month we will be visiting one of our newest members to the world of enhanced dental microscopy, Dr Matthew Speed from Glen Iris, Victoria and his Global microscope experiences.
Each month I will introduce new and old users to the group and hopefully find out their motivation behind purchasing and using the dental microscope as well as personal tips and tricks that may help other users develop or re-enforce various applications and procedures.
We also look at Depth of Field issues that you may or may not be aware of and present an extract from “The Dental Microscope” book.
Matthew Speed Joins the GLOBAL microscope family
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr Matthew Speed to the Global Microscope User Group. Matthew recently installed a GLOBAL microscope after moving to a new two chair practice in Glen Iris. Already he has experienced significantly reduced back and neck pain and found the magnification and illumination far superior to the loupes he was using in the past.
Matthew Speed shares his GLOBAL microscope experience...
- Has it helped you in treating more advanced conditions, that in the past, you found difficult to treat?
The superior lighting and magnification that the microscope provides has enabled me to treat a wide range of problems to a higher standard. My previous headlamp and loupes enabled me to treat most conditions to a high standard. The microscope has however taken me to a new level. The magnification has also enabled me to treat things more conservatively as a smaller access is often required. For example, I recently treated a carious lesion on a 44 from the buccal aspect and was able to produce a much more conservative resin restoration. In the past I would have drilled through the mesial ridge of the tooth. The yellow filter that delays the setting of the composite resin is also a useful tool that I am using on a regular basis. It enables me to place small increments of composite resin accurately and with purpose.
- Which procedures have benefitted the most through the acquisition of the Global Microscope?
As a general restorative dentist all my procedures have benefited from the Global microscope. Quadrant 4 is still difficult to treat with the microscope. I still use my loupes for general examinations and some parts of my restorative technique.
- Which accessories/tools have you found most helpful to your work with the Global Microscope?
The video system which enables me to record my treatment and to allow the nurse to view the procedure "live" is a massive indication to buy and own a microscope. The enthusiasm the nurse gets from seeing the procedure and what is required is priceless. Some patients are keen to see what has been done and the video or photo recording of this is helpful.
The nurses monitor with the video link has made it easy to incorporate the microscope into my practice. I already practised forehand dentistry so not much of this has changed. The DVDs that I received with the microscope had a great influence on the incorporation of the microscope into my practice. I have revisited these DVDs on a number of occasions and will continue to do so as they become more accomplished.
- How have your patients responded to this technology?
The more I discuss the microscope with the patients the more they are pleased that I am using it.
- What have you been able to see and manage that you may have missed with traditional loupes or the naked eye?
The advantage of the microscope over loupes is just how much better you see things. I do not think that I really missed very much before. It is just that now my vision (especially with the illumination) is far superior.
- Have you felt the ergonomics and improved posture an advantage?
One of the reasons I purchased a microscope was to improve my posture. With the Carr extender in place I am able to sit so much better than before. The problem with dentistry is always going to be the long periods of stationary and often strained sitting. Whilst the microscope cannot eliminate the sitting, it certainly enables you to sit much more comfortably and relaxed. Your shoulders and neck can be far more at ease. In addition my eyes are a lot less strained at the end of a hard day. I'm not sure whether this is because of the better illumination and less intense looking (because I can simply see things better) or whether the parallel nature of the microscope is less taxing on my eyes.
Dealing with Depth of Field Issues
As magnification increases, the depth of field decreases. This makes it more difficult to keep the image in focus.
Two factors contribute to this problem. One factor is the quality of the optics in your microscope and the optical engineering used in its manufacture. The other factor is the observer’s eyes. Many of us are familiar with the second factor. As age advances, we lose accommodation capability and require bifocals (or progressives) for near vision. In applying the mirror in conjunction with the microscope we can conveniently adjust focal length by moving the mirror to, or from, the tooth or scope. A second equally convenient control is raising and lowering the back of the dental chair and thereby the “target tooth” by flexing the non-dominant calf underneath the chair back. Either of these two procedures are preferable to raising or lowering the scope. This is because repositioning the microscope requires removing one, or both of your hands from the operating field. Older dentists will likely find managing depth of field more of a challenge than the dentists of younger years. The younger eye is more accommodating to depth of field issues; however, with training and experience you will be able to adequately manage depth of field regardless of age. Managing depth of field soon become automatic, just as in learning how to balance when riding a bicycle.1
1(Schmidt R. Boudro M. The Dental Microscope S&B Publishing Medford Ore. 2011)
Upgrade to the NEW Ultra LED from GLOBAL today - $2300 + GST Limited Time Only
For any Global Microscope User Group correspondence, please contact Peter Di Medio on +61 414 856 696 or peter@inline.com.au
For any Sales, Training or Applications issues please contact Mario Falvo on +61 418 228 558 or mario@inline.com.au or myself, Peter Di Medio on +61 414 856 696 or peter@inline.com.au