Comparative evaluation of the use of magnification loupes in supragingival scaling procedures

The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate clinical and patient-centered outcomes of supragingival scaling performed with or without the use of 2.5× magnification loupes and illumination.

A total of 30 patients, divided into three groups, were treated with 2.5× loupes and 2.5× loupes and illumination, and without any magnification device. Full-mouth plaque score percentage (FMPS%) and full-mouth bleeding score percentage (FMBS%) were registered before and after the treatment. Moreover, perceived pain and quality of the treatment were recorded using a visual analog scale. Appropriate statistical analysis was adopted to analyze between-group differences for the investigated parameters.

All of the patients completed the study protocol. All the groups were homogeneous at baseline. Supragingival scaling caused a significant reduction of FMPS% and FMBS% in all groups without differences among them. Moreover, no differences could be found for patient-centered outcomes. The duration of the treatment was significantly higher in the group in which loupes and illumination was used than in the control group.

The use of magnification loupes (with or without illumination) did not significantly improve clinical and patient-centered outcomes of supragingival scaling procedures.