by Dr Lam Nguyen, Bunbury Oral Care Centre, Bunbury, WA
I’ve been using the 6X Heine loupes for about 18 months now. Prior to that I was using a 2.5X pair but once you go to a higher magnification, you never go back. I am so used to the larger image that every time I try the 2.5X loupes again, I feel like I’m not seeing things clearly.
What’s good about it
These loupes are mounted on a headband along with a light and a battery. This means there is no cord getting in the way as you move around. Initially I thought the loupes might be a bit heavy but they are very comfortable and don’t put any strain on my neck.
The 6X magnification is quite strong but it’s great to be able to see everything so clearly. I use the loupes for all procedures including examinations, endo and identifying cracks in teeth. A lot of dentists prefer a microscope but the big advantage of loupes is that they can be carried from room to room.
The battery lasts for the whole day and only takes about two hours to charge. Generally I just put it on the charger overnight.
I’m very careful with my loupes but I have managed to drop these once or twice. I thought they would be broken but they continue to work fine.
What’s not so good
They’re expensive to purchase. Even the battery is expensive. Using a 6X magnification means that you don’t get to see the whole mouth. However, this is also a good thing. During an examination you are focused on one or two teeth and nothing escapes your scrutiny.
Where did you get it
Ivoclar.
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