REVIEW ARTICLE


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10083-0917
Journal of Scientific Dentistry
Volume 10 | Issue 1 | Year 2020

Evolution of Magnifications in Endodontics: A Review

Madhumita Srinivasan1, Chakravarthy Dhanavel2, Jasmine Rayapudi3

1–3Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, India

Corresponding Author: Madhumita Srinivasan, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, India, Phone: +91 9500877555, e-mail: dr.madhumitasrinivasan1571995@gmail.com

How to cite this article Srinivasan M, Dhanavel C, Rayapudi J. Evolution of Magnifications in Endodontics: A Review. J Sci Den 2020;10(1):21–24.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Over the past few decades, technological advances in endodontics have taken quantum leaps from conventional hand files to rotary system and from direct vision to magnification. The clarity and details are achieved by magnification devices such as orascope, dental loupes, and dental operating microscope. The details are very clear and revealing so that the endodontists can achieve precision in diagnosis, treatment procedures, and final assessment of procedure performed. Magnification technique is undergoing continuous advancements, allowing a better precision and quality standard. Microdentistry with its expanding possibility and increased clinical implication has now set a higher standard in patient care and in success rate of treatment procedures.

Keywords: Dental loupes, Dental operating microscope, Orascope..

INTRODUCTION

The field of endodontics has witnessed significant technological advances over the past few decades. One area of advancement has been the evolution of endodontic visualization. The endodontists have always pursued to improve the vision of the operating field. The human naked eye with a resolving power of 0.2 mm is capable of distinguishing fine detail when an image is sharpened and enlarged to effectively magnify the area of interest for proper diagnosis and treatment of various dental pathologies.1,2 Magnification aids such as loupes, microscope, rod lens endoscope, and orascope help the endodontists to visualize the operating field beyond what can be perceived by the naked eye. Enhanced magnification and illumination help the clinician to identify accessory canals and other anatomical variations.3

Recently, in clinical dentistry, the dentist is now practising a higher level of microscope-assisted precision dentistry.2 The operating microscope has now fundamentally and radically changed the way endodontic surgeries can be performed. The microsurgical techniques have made possible and accessible results that were unimaginable before.

MAGNIFYING GLASSES

A magnifying glass is a double convex lens mounted in a frame with a handle (Fig. 1). A magnifying glass works by creating a magnified virtual image of an object behind the lens. This happens only when the distance between the lens and the object is shorter than the focal length of the lens. Magnifying glass has a focal length of 25 cm and an optical power of 4 diopters. Such a magnifier is available as a “2×” magnifier.3

DENTAL LOUPES

Surgical loupes were used from 1870s. Binocular loupes were attached to spectacles in the 1900s. Magnification of loupes range from 2× to 6× (Fig. 2).

Classification of Loupes

  • Based on the number of lens4
    • Single lens
    • Multiple lens
      • Galilean optic loupes
      • Prism loupes
    • Based on the magnification system
      • Flat plane, single lens loupes
      • Surgical telescope with Galilean optical system
      • Surgical telescope with Keplerian optical system
    • Based on the design of loupes
      • Through the lens loupes
      • Flip-up loupes

Advantages of Loupes

It does not acquire much space, as it is small in size. It can be operated easily, no formal training is required. Surgeon’s position is not restricted. Neither are they expensive as a microscope nor do they need higher maintenance.5

Disadvantages of Loupes

It does not provide depth perception due to the lack of stereoscopic view. Magnification beyond 5× is uncomfortable as it is heavy. Illumination is less when compared with microscope. Eyestrain, fatigue, and changes in vision can be experienced if poorly fixed loupes are used for longer time.5

Fig. 1: Magnification lens

Fig. 2: Prism loupes

Fig. 3: Rod lens endoscope

Fig. 4: Orascope

Fig. 5: Dental operating microscope

ROD LENS ENDOSCOPE

Rod lens endoscope provides greater magnification than loupes. It consists of rods of glass. It has a camera, a light source, and a monitor. Disadvantage of rod lens endoscopy is that the instrument is rigid, so it cannot be used in visualizing curved root canals1,6 (Fig. 3).

ORASCOPE

An orascope is a fiber optic endoscope designed for intracanal visualization (Fig. 4). Fiber optics is small, lightweight, and flexible plastic. The image quality has a direct correlation to the number of fibers and size of the lens used. Orascope is made of 10,000 parallel visual fibers. The visual fiber is between 3.7 μm and 5.0 μm in diameter. Orascope has a 0.8-mm tip diameter, 0° lenses, and a working portion of 15 mm in length.5,6

DENTAL OPERATING MICROSCOPE

The operating microscope has now fundamentally and radically changed the way endodontic procedures and surgeries can be performed (Fig. 5). The microscope provides better magnification from 3× to 30× and better illumination. It is beneficial for the clinician and the patients in terms of ergonomics, clear vision, better prognosis, minimal appointments, and economical.5

The operating microscope consists of three basic components

Supporting Structure

The supporting structure stabilizes the microscope. It can be floor, ceiling, or wall mounted.

Body of Microscope

The body of microscope consists of

  • Eyepieces
  • Binoculars
  • Magnification changer
  • Objective lens

Eyepiece

The power of eyepiece determines magnification. Eyepieces are usually available in powers of 10×, 12.5×, 16×, and 20×. To adjust the accommodation of the lens of the eyes, diopter settings should range from −5 to +5.

Binocular

The function of binoculars is to hold the eyepieces. It projects an intermediate image into the focal plane of the eyepieces. It comes in different focal lengths. Longer the focal length, the greater the magnification and the field of view is narrower.

Magnification Changer

It is situated within head of the microscope and is available as 3-, 5-, or 6-step manual changer, or a power zoom changer.

Objective Lens

Focal length of the objective lens determines the working distance between the microscope and the operating field. The focal length ranges from 100 mm to 400 mm. Ideally, when the focal length is 200 mm there is 20 cm/8 inches of working distance. This distance is ideal for endodontic procedures. A layer of antireflective coating ensures absorption of minimum light to maintain the illumination of the operative field.

Light Source

The commonly available two light source systems are halogen light and xenon light.

Most common source is 100 W xenon halogen bulb. Its intensity is controlled by rheostat and cooled by a fan. Illumination and line of sight share the same axis, so that light is focused between the eyepieces and no shadows are visible.

MAGNIFICATION

Total magnification7
TM = ft /fo × Me × Mc
TM, total magnification
Ft, focal length of binocular lens
Fo, focal length of objective lens
Me, magnification of the eyepiece
Mc, magnification factor
Total magnification formula by Khayat8
TM = (FLT/FLOL) × EP × MV
TM, total magnification
FLT, focal length of the tube
FLOL, focal length of the objective lens
EP, eyepiece power
MV, magnification value2,3

ILLUMINATION

Once the light reaches the operating field, it gets reflected back through the objective lens, magnification changer lenses, and the binoculars. It then exits to the operator’s eyes as two separate beams of light. A stereoscopic effect produced by the separation of light beams. This enables the operator to visualize the depth of field. Illumination of the surgical microscope is coaxial with the line of sight. This allows the operator to visualize the surgical site without any shadows in the field.6,7

LIMITATIONS OF MAGNIFICATION

ACCESSORIES FOR THE DENTAL OPERATING MICROSCOPE

Advantages

  • Enhanced visualization
  • Enhanced illumination
  • Microfracture diagnosis
  • Case documentation
  • Co-observer tubes
  • Improved quality and precision of treatment
  • Enhanced ergonomics

Disadvantages

  • Expensive
  • Difficult to fit in a small operative room because of its size.
  • Steep learning curve.
  • Need for expertise by auxiliary staff and adaptation is quite difficult.
  • Provides narrower field of vision.2,10,11

Fig. 6: Head-mounted dental operating microscope

Fig. 7: Full unit of head-mounted operating microscope

RECENT ADVANCEMENT IN MAGNIFICATION—HEAD-MOUNTED MICROSCOPE

It has a magnification range of 2.9× to 7.0×. Its working distance is 11.81–27.56 inches. It is autofocus and has an integrated autofocus camera. It also has integrated light optics. Its field of view is 1.18–8.82 inches and has a shadow-free illumination (Figs 6 and 7).

CONCLUSION

The goal of magnification is to achieve the highest possible precision, better treatment, and prognosis. The use of magnification has enabled the endodontists to enhance their ability toward better diagnosis and treatment, to identify microfractures, to identify accessory canals, locate canal orifices, and identify anatomic variations in teeth and supporting structures. The trifecta of magnification–illumination–instrumentation without any doubt increases the quality of diagnosis and treatment results.

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10. Low JF, Dom TNM, Baharin SA. Magnification in endodontics: a review of its application and acceptance among dental practitioners. Eur J Dent 2018;12(4):610–616. DOI: 10.4103/ejd.ejd_248_18.

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