2. Treatment Outcomes

Due to the increased illumination and the magnification of up to 15X digital zoom plus 10X optical zoom and high resolution (available on the model the author currently uses), the ability to visualize the surgical field is vastly improved compared to 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, Mora, et al.2 Dentists have begun to learn that lighting of the operating field is just as important as magnification.

	Posture Can Be Critical
	2) This is an example of poor working posture, which can cause soreness, injury and fatigue. 3) Good working posture not only improves and maintains a practitioner’s health, but also allows for comfort and efficiency during long procedures.

The Digital Surgical Scope can enhance the vision in dentistry just as it has 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 A. van As 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

The next benefit deals with the patient and/or parent. Just as digital radiographs have allowed the magnification of the image to allow better viewing of the teeth and supporting structures, so has the digital operating microscope when used with a computer monitor (Fig. 4). As a pediatric dentist, one of my challenges is to communicate with the patient’s parents. I have used the live videos to illustrate tooth brushing and flossing techniques for the parents and children. Our office’s Web site (www.kidsmyl.com) has two videos to help introduce our new patients and their families to our practice. One is on the “First Visit” and the other is on “Laser Dentistry,” and they’re excellent behavioral and practice management tools, in addition to great education tools about our practice and practice philosophies.

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