Use of high-magnification loupes or surgical operating microscope when performing dental extractions

The article presented here explains how the use of microscope-level magnification (6x to 8x or greater), combined with head-mounted, co-axial illumination, may improve a dentist's ability to extract teeth over the use of unaided vision or entry-level 2.5x magnification loupes and operatory lighting. Magnification improves a dentist's ability to detect tooth particle perimeters and to determine if luxation forces applied using elevators result in microscopic incremental improvements in tooth particle luxation. Magnification also improves a dentist's ability to distinguish between tooth structure and alveolar bone, which is useful when sectioning teeth and removing intra-socket alveolar bone to facilitate forceps extraction. In dentistry, the use of microscopes may facilitate a dentist's ability to perform dentoalveolar extractions with more conservative removal of alveolar bone, potentially minimizing trauma to the extraction site.