In the last few years dentistry has seen several companies bring a new type of magnification design to market. These scopes (loupes) are different than the traditional style of "straight" telescopes. This new style has been call 'declination' scopes as the magnification system 'declines' or has a bend in the telescope. As you can see in the image above, the scopes point down toward the patient.
The idea behind them is that because the magnification points down, it allows the operator to sit more upright. The profession has a well documented history of neck and back injury due to the clinical posture of the operator.
Before I started using magnification in the late 1990s, I was often twisted up like a pretzel as I tried to get adequate vision of the operative field. Once I started using mag, I found my posture improved dramatically. In basic terms, because the system had a fixed focal length, I needed to stay in better posture to keep things in focus. There was a very brief learning curve, but once I adapted my job actually became noticeably easier.
The concept behind 'declination' scopes is that they can get the operator to sit even *more* upright than using standard straight telescopes. The one thing that has been lacking, to my knowledge, has been high magnification. The declination models that I have seen up to this point have been in the 2.5-3.5x range. Now, Orascoptic has announced the HDL Ergo 5.0x which brings 5.0x to the line. I do most of my dentistry at 5.0-5.5x (and occasionally 6.0x) so I felt that this was something the profession needed.
I have not personally worked with this level of magnification in a declination set up, but I have experience with 3.5x. My experience found that after so long with straight scopes there was a learning curve for me as I got up to speed. As I usually do with new things, I worked on the bench with them for a bit. I tinkered with Dentaforms and learned where my hands were in relation to the field of view. I didn't think the learning curve was too steep. After about an hour I tried them on a simple one surface restoration and didn't have any problems.
For some doctors that are very used to straight scopes, there may not be a tremendous reason to switch to declination scopes, but many people are now starting with this design in school and have never known any other way. Up until now, my only concern has been that declination scopes have only been available in lower magnification levels. That problem is now a thing of the past.
For those younger doctors who have only used declination setups and anyone experiencing neck or back problems, this should be something on your radar. It might be the solution you are looking for.
If you would like more information on the HDL Ergo 5.0x follow this link.
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