Best Loupes for Dental School and Clinical Practice

The best loupes for dental school and clinical practice.
The first pair of loupes I bought was a 2.5x from designs for vision. I still used those loupes today on a regular basis for things like exams, denature adjustments and orthodontics. They are lightweight and comfortable.
Now I use 4.5x loupes any time that I can for routine restorative and crown and bridge (as well as endo). The 4.5x magnification was a game-changer for me, especially when it comes to fillings and crown preps.
2.5 is a great magnification to start with, as higher magnification loupes can be a little bit heavier, and whichever magnification you choose, definitely consider getting a headlight as well.
Thank you again for liking and subscribing and please comment below with any questions!
A lot of people have asked about my video setup. This video is not sponsored, but some of these are affiliate links and I may receive a commission.
Dental Apparel and T-Shirt designs
www.TheLouped.com

[@BeyondDentistry]

If you are interested in LumaDent's ergonomic ErgoPrism loupes, please check out the review!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXq4qXyVlJ6jlZY

[@nadersharafodinzadeh9889]

do you provide it in canada?

[@DailyMeditation365]

D1 year, don't get duped into buying 2.5x. Start with at least 3.5x or preferably 4.0-4.5x. I use 4.5x for everything, from molar endo to wisdom teeth extractions. I haven't touched my 3.5x in 3+ years and use them as my backups

[@mirali73]

Can you explain why that is?

[@kierra5498]

I wished I did that. I recommended everyone to get 3.5 or higher I started with a 3 (orascoptic) and it’s not enough

[@kvgolfa]

Our school required everyone to start with 3.5x. I purchased 4.5x before my 2nd year. Q Optics expanded field. Way way way lighter than the DFV you've shown, and way better ergonomics. And I can still see a full arch, actually a little more than a full arch

[@BeyondDentistry]

That’s great! honestly at my school it was kind of a free-for-all. There were students that went the whole four years without any loupes. When I was in school, I don’t know if Q optics was around. We had DFV, orascoptic and surgitel. I have heard nothing but great things about Q optics though. If I am ever in the market for more loupes, I will definitely give those a look. Thanks for the great info! I feel really blessed these videos get such great comments that hopefully help a lot of people.

[@vichahuangphattarakul1143]

Hi @kvgolfa, so I'm looking into getting a pair of qoptics myself, but I'm not sure which magnification should I get. I'll be using this for my implantology masters program in China. So I've been introduced to qoptics that they have 3.5x, 4.0x, and 4.5x prismatics loupes. So a lot of dentist say 3.5x is enough for doing implants, and 4.5x would give you tunnel vision and miss out on proximal tooth axes, but I personally would want a highest magnification possible for the job. Here you're saying you can see the full arch with 4.5x, do you think it is possible to use this 4.5x for implant sugeries? Thanks in advance!

[@BeyondDentistry]

Hi Vicha! I can give you my take, and hopefully @kvgolfa sees your question too. I personally prefer 2.5 for implants. For me, “Tunnel vision” has more to do with how zoomed in the loupe is, vs field of view. I can see pretty much a full arch with my 4.5 ‘s, but I have to move my eyes around to do it. It’s kind of like sitting in front of a giant TV, you have to look around to get the big picture. I do know a dentist that places implants with 8X loupes, but I guarantee he’s not checking angulation with those, he probably just looks over his telescopes and does angulation with the naked eye. Most surgeons I know that place implants use either 2.5 ‘s, or no loupes believe it or not. Really high magnification would be good for soft tissue management and suturing. Good luck in your masters program!

[@rh_BOSS]

2.5x is pretty much useless for anything besides implants and surgery. The sales rep will push it on you as an entry option, because they know that in a year or two you'll be back for a 3.5x or an even more expensive prismatic system. Also I remember seeing a study which concluded that some manufacturers lie about magnification. The sales rep will yap on about how great the field of view of their loupes is, but it's because they're actually 2.2x and not 2.5x.

[@Renegade8652]

@@rh_BOSS Damn that's annoying. I got 3.5x with a decent wired-light, I need to try a 4.5x, but I really need a wireless light, I wish that wireless batteries would last longer. If anyone knows what the longest lasting wireless light is please share. Might just get the Orascoptic 4.5x with the batteries hanging over the back of your ears and just buy 20 batteries for it. I like the idea of the counter weight with the batteries.

[@DrSimranSinghDDS]

This is awesome! I have 3.0 and use Orascoptic. I think loops are essential too because I don't think it's humanly possible to maintain good ergonomics and see teeth properly without loupes. When I was doing preps without loupes my back was literally at a 90-degree angle! LMAO

[@BeyondDentistry]

😂😂😂 Simran same here man, I'm worried I'm going to end up with a hunchback if I'm not careful, especially with extractions. There was a dude in may class that would put his typodont on the mannequin upside down in sim lab so he could have direct vision on the upper without bending over.

[@user-dy9rz2yf9f]

I agree. 2.5 magnification is great for dental school. Take care of your eyes. I switch to a bigger magnification after graduating from dental school and now I have to wear glasses for reading. My eyes aged super fast thanks to the loupes. People who always have had glasses probably don't suffer as much as they are used to going to the eye doctor every year. But if you have a wonderful 20/20 and suddenly lose it, well.... it's a bummer.

[@Creative-Smiles22]

Thank you for the simplified explanation!! It helped clear up a lot of things! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@laphaskdental5543]

Great advice! I really agree with you on TTL's! (also I wish this video came out before I got my first pair 😅)

[@BeyondDentistry]

Hahaha! - That's always how it goes; I just learned I should have checked out Q Optics...

[@classiclass13]

Thanks for the tips! -soon to be D1

[@BeyondDentistry]

Congrats on dental school; You got this!

[@cardiacmyxoma4073]

Thanks for this video, very informative!

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks Angela!

[@bah-han]

Thanks for the video... which brand do you prefer? is there a comparative study out there ?

[@cedardmd]

Hello, I found your channel from dentaltown. I will be starting dental school this fall and will eventually meet representatives from various loupe companies. The question is, what should I consider as a factor when choosing which magnification I should get when in reality, I have not seen a single patient yet? I don't know yet if I would like to be doing restoratives or endo cases or other various procedures later on. In other hand, are there cases where students who bought high magnification (4.0+) regret getting one later in career? Is "Getting another one with higher mag as needed down the road" the only answer, or do you have another opinion? I think your contents are great and deserve much more views!

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks so much for checking out the channel! I didn't buy loupes until a couple of months into dental school. I would honestly start with somewhere from 2.5x to 3.5x. I can only think of one person I know that started with 4.5x, but he was already a dentist and was in our class as an international student. If it were me, I would probably just wait until school starts and talk to your classmates and people in the classes ahead of you. I like having two pairs of loupes too, that way if something happens I have a backup. That is probably overkill in dental school, but it is really nice in practice. Good luck!!

[@small-timegarden]

Any reviews on loupes with polarized light for viewing veins?

[@diecerujo]

Thanks very much for your explanation!! Totally understand, much appreciated. Cheers!

[@OneFiveee]

Does wearing Loupes lead to your eyes getting worse over time?

[@BeyondDentistry]

Hey Josh! If you are wearing loupes that were custom made for you and are comfortable, my understating is that it will not change your vision. I have been using them for the last 14 years, and my vision is pretty much that same.

[@MohamedEmad-qq7fg]

Thank you

[@sunilakula4986]

Practical..Thank you!

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks Sunil!

[@kostaskg]

Very informative. Thanks for the video.

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thank you!!

[@viet4life714]

what is the name of that instrument for root tip removal?

[@user-yk2nh6yd9z]

Hey doc, nice video! What are thinking about helmet fixed flip up loupes? Because of my myopia I wouldn’t wear anything else. I am thinking about Carl Zeiss :)

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks for the comment! To be honest, I am not familiar with that kind of loupe. It sounds like it could work very well, it may be a good idea to reach out to the company and see if you may be able to try some. I think general surgeons do use loupes like that so I think they could work well. Good luck!

[@bluelb9508]

Can you start off with a 4.5-5X loupe for new grads or would be that too much magnification for a first-timer? Operative, Fixed, and Endodontics are my major concerns. I'm in the market for my first pair and your video helped me a lot. Thanks.

[@BeyondDentistry]

I do know some people who started at 4.5x. The challenge with really high mag is getting the working distance dialed in perfectly. With 2.5-3.5 you have a little wiggle room to move toward and away from the patient, but with 4.5 it's more "locked in". I actually had to send my 4.5x back twice to get the working distance dialed in perfectly. I would probably talk to couple reps and see what they think. If you want a little bit higher magnification, someone else in the comments said that everyone in their school automatically starts at 3.5x Good luck!

[@bluelb9508]

@@BeyondDentistry Thanks a lot. Love your videos and waiting for more :D

[@benlloyd3155]

No right answer here. Proof is that is I own, and use, 2.5x, 5.5X, and 8.0x from three different manufacturers and I love all three sets.

[@loganduncan501]

I bet you see them dentin tubules with those 8s 😂

[@rickypyun]

(I think I piggy backed off sometime else's comment but)... wanted to ask again if you've tried Hero Loupes because I'm looking for comparable comparisons to Lumadent Ergoprism Loupes which you mentioned reviewing or planning to review.

[@BeyondDentistry]

I have not tried Hero yet, but I'm really excited to try the Ergoprisms. They are fabricating the 5.0's for me right now; my favorite feature, I think, is going to be the adjustable working distance. I have been away from video production for a while, but have a few things in the works. As soon as I get these loupes, that's going right to the top of my list, because so many people want to know about them. So far Lumadent has been super great, and I'm really going into this with a pretty open mind. I use my DFV 4.5's every day, but if ergoprsim can save weight and my posture, I'm going to be thrilled.

[@rickypyun]

Thanks Besides the adjustable focal length the Hero Loupes seem similar Do all the Ergoprism mag sizes offer adjustable focal length?

[@BeyondDentistry]

I don’t think their other loupes have adjustable working length, as far as I know. Declination loupes is a completely new idea in dentistry, but I really think it might be something that will benefit a lot of practitioners. I’ll reply to this comment again as soon as I get my loupes in the mail it was first impressions, and then do a video review week or so after that.

[@divinesalon339]

I'm a training medical student I had to wear loupes today for the first time for ear wax removal. I tried 3 different pair on and I just couldn't see what I needed to see. I normally wear glasses everyday can you recommend any loupes that I can wear with glasses? Thanks

[@BeyondDentistry]

In your case, if you only need to use them once int a while, you try a headlight with no loupes. I find that the light makes almost as much of a difference as the magnification, and in some cases more. It probably wouldn't be worth buying a set of custom loupes unless you are going to use them at least multiple times per week. They do make some inexpensive clip on loupes you might me able to find online and try. But I bet the light would make a bigger difference. Good luck!

[@chriscarpenter8726]

what do you think about a dentist who doesnt wear any loupes at all?

[@BeyondDentistry]

I couldn't practice without loupes. There are some dentists who seem to be able to, so to each their own, I guess!

[@MrBeachwaves]

Thanks for your video. I wear glasses and am looking for a good quality pair of flip-up loupes loupes that provide the maximum declination angle possible. I wasn’t impressed with the declination angle that TTL loupes offered not to mention they don’t work very well with those that wear glasses. I was really impressed with Pentax but their price point is very high. I also liked Sugeitel. I’ve heard Orascoptic are pretty good as well. What do others think? Thanks!

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks Alex! I know a doc who loved his Surgitel flip-ups. I know a lot of people like Orascoptic too. I would honestly trust your gut and get what you are comfortable with. FWIW, I am to this day using loupes I bought in 2007, so don't be afraid to invest some if it's exactly what you want. Good luck!!

[@donnafortner7651]

Im 61 and never worn loupes but considering DFV loupes with a light, would you say the 3.5x would be there perfect all around magnification? I do mainly restorative and some Endo. I ve bought off the shelf Loupes before with little success, and heard good things about the custom fitting that DFV does in office

[@loganduncan501]

Donna out here doing all types of Iatrogenic damage 😂

[@rehabkhalidnaguib1159]

I am 4th year dental student, my vision is slightly poor so my neck and backbones are always in pain to reach the best visualization during work, Idk anything about brands or types. I’m just searching and saw your video, can you help me which type and brand I need is the best in operative, crown and endo ? providing good position while working. Thanks in advance💖

[@BeyondDentistry]

Hi Rehab, thank you so much for reaching out!! This is perfect timing - I am releasing a video later this week about Lumadent's Ergoprism loupes. They let you sit up straight, but still see down into the field of view where you are working. I am really excited to talk about them. The video will coming out in a couple days, but if you have a any questions, please let me know!

[@rehabkhalidnaguib1159]

@@BeyondDentistry I can’t thank u more🙏🏻 If there are types of those loupes you’re talking about, let us know the usage, cost and limit of visualization of each of them plz

[@numberone4091]

Hey rehab ! I also have really poor eyesight my vision is blurry without glasses and I think it's -2.75 (nearsighted) I'm afraid to peruse dentistry because of my eyesight from the very starting point till I become an advanced practitioner in the later years of my life. I'm second guessing everything what would you think from your perspective would you think that is a fixable issue + in the long run as well . Thank you !

[@sandeeastrom5217]

I wear prescription lenses..how can I wear loupes?

[@BeyondDentistry]

They actually make loupes with prescription lenses built in (the manufacturer will need to know your prescription). If you get in touch with one of the companies, they can help you out for sure. I really like Lumadent and Designs for Vision, but there are other companies out there too!

[@guesmikhaled2801]

I have laziness in the left eye due to the deviation of the cornea and my eyesight in it is 1/10, while the right one is intact...Do the lenses fit me?

[@BeyondDentistry]

I would think the best bet would be to talk the the company you are thinking for buying loupes from, and maybe ask your eye doctor. I wish I could be of more help!

[@NaeemAhmad-yb9no]

Hi, thanks for the informative video! I am a final year dental student in Aus and have been using the 2.5x loupes for 3 yrs now (preclinical and clinical). I am looking to buy 3.5x headband loupes from optical world, because they are sooo expensive here or from the US. It's a company based in China. The loupes i am using atm is also from them. I am wondering you have any knowledge about it or advice?

[@BeyondDentistry]

I have never tried headband loupes. For dentistry, I would make sure you can still wear some kind of safety glasses or face shield with them. I wouldn't be shy to get what you want, though. When you think of all the money you spend in dental school, loupes are one thing that you will take with you. I said it in another reply, but I still use loupes I had in 2007. Good luck!

[@omaro160]

İ am second year dental student. I'll start to the second year. Do you recommend to use loop in preclinical works? İs it better with or without?

[@minaboulos5014]

Any thoughts about Q-Optics vs DFV?

[@BeyondDentistry]

I have heard nothing but good things about Q-Optics. I went with DFV for mine, just because I had a good experience with the company before, and I need custom sized frames for my uniquely large head 🤣. I would take a look at both, but like everyone I know of that has Q-Optics loves them

[@minaboulos5014]

Beyond Dentistry thank you doctor!

[@MARCIONOB89]

For endodontics procedures its okey 3.5x ?

[@BeyondDentistry]

It probably depends on the light. I would think 3.5 with a bright light would be okay for most anterior and premolar endo. Most endodontists use a microscope for everything, but you can certainly do a decent job with 3.5.

[@MARCIONOB89]

@@BeyondDentistry im a general dentist, but i do a lot of endodontics, all kinds of teeth, without loupes, just my glasses. I was looking for a Zumax luopes because i want to improve my performance in molars.

[@BeyondDentistry]

@@MARCIONOB89 That is awesome! I do not do a lot of endo, but I bet you see a huge improvement with the loupes. Definitely get a light too!

[@MohammedNomer]

Can you recommend an ergo loupe that is 3.5 I have. A slipped disk 😢

[@BeyondDentistry]

Once you get through learning curve, ergo loupes will probably be perfect for you! There is a noticeable difference in how it makes your back feel. I have not tried any other than Ergoprism, I would say just reach out to any company whose loupes you are looking at. I think the biggest thing is getting a company that has good customer service; in my experience, the fitment of an ergo loupe can be a little bit more tricky, and you might have to have some back-and-forth with the company to get things dialed in. I would say whatever magnification you think you want, go higher with the ergo, loupe. For whatever reason, the magnification feels different, if you are used to 3.5, you might want to try a 4.5 or even 5 ergo loupe

[@jessical3038]

Thoughts on ergonomics?

[@BeyondDentistry]

That’s such a great question, and something I struggle with constantly. In terms of loupes, I honestly think the only way to have a truly perfect posture when you’re working is to work with a microscope. There are some companies selling angled deflection loupes, such as lumadent’s ergoprism. I’ve never tried those, but they look really interesting. As far as ergonomics in general, for me what has helped the most is honestly trying to stay in shape. Lifting weights and focusing on posture throughout the day, even when I’m not working helps counteract any bad posture at work. It also helps train your body to know what a “good” posture is. Sometimes I’ve even gone back to dental school textbooks, to review where I’m supposed to sit for different quadrants. But I usually default back to 12 o’clock or 2 o’clock, with the patient’s head up a little higher than the book would recommend. Honestly, it’s something I need to get better at, but it definitely warrants a video!

[@yazansinan931]

Great video

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thank you!

[@numberone4091]

Thanks for the video super informative! also have really poor eyesight my vision is blurry without glasses and I think it's -2.75 (nearsighted) I'm afraid to peruse dentistry because of my eyesight from the very starting point till I become an advanced practitioner in the later years of my life. I'm second guessing everything what would you think from your perspective would you think that is a fixable issue + in the long run as well . Thank you for the video doc ❤️

[@BeyondDentistry]

Thanks so much! I do not think your eyesight would keep you from being able to be a dentist. Loupe companies will actually build you prescription into your loupes, and it can be changed over time. If you are really concerned, you could ask your doctor what they think, that’s probably what I would do. But I had plenty of classmates that had glasses and contacts and did just fine.

[@user-sr3tj5gn8y]

I went with 5.5 I want to be all up inside that tooth.

[@beaumont390]

these manufacturers don't ship to Pakistan :(

[@BeyondDentistry]

Mussab, I talk to loupe companies occasionally, I will ask if anyone ships to your area!

[@prempanjabi]

Designs for Vision have distributor in Pakistan. You can WhatsApp on 00971565531165 for more details

[@dr.abdulmatin37]

Thank you

[@rickypyun]

(I think I piggy backed off sometime else's comment but)... wanted to ask again if you've tried Hero Loupes because I'm looking for comparable comparisons to Lumadent Ergoprism Loupes which you mentioned reviewing or planning to review.

[@BeyondDentistry]

Heros look really interesting, and I can't wait to try the Ergoprisms. They are actually making the loupes right now. Declination loupes are such a new concept in dentistry, but I could see it really catching on. There are not may real world reviews out there which is one of the reasons I can't wait to do a full review!

[@rickypyun]

@@BeyondDentistry the lumadent rep met me today and allowed me to demo the ergoprisms. i liked the quality of them and will likely place an order for one based off the experience. i was disappointed at one thing - they are sold out and not planning to restock the "classic" frame in "black" - which is surprising bc the rep said it was their best selling combo. and i'm not really into colors on my frames. they do have the black in titanium tho. Oh...hero loupes do send out their loupes for a demo so i've put my name on a waitlist for that. good luck with your experience!

[@rickypyun]

@@BeyondDentistry btw did u know the heroes are also built in bone conducting earphones that connect to bluetooth? I'm excited to try this feature out to drown out the noise of the heavy duty hp air purifiers we run during aerosol procedures

[@BeyondDentistry]

@@rickypyun That's sweet! Let me know what you think of the bone conducting earphones, that sounds wild.