Dental fiberoptic handpieces: recommendations for proper use

The use of fiberoptic handpieces in dentistry may have advanced faster than has the knowledge on how to use them. Differences in brightness are extreme in the dentist's work environment and may result in the dentist's experiencing fatigue. This article discusses lighting of the operating field in general, presents basic characteristics of available handpiece fiberoptic systems, and provides the dental practitioner with guidelines for adjustment and safe use of intraoral fiberoptic lighting.