Dentists deal with natural light, light from handpieces, overhead lights, and operatory lights. These lights are of two types, mounted on the ceiling or fixed lights. Proper illumination is crucial for a smooth-running procedure.

Dental hygienists and dentists rely on observation and tactile sensation to detect calculus. Areas that are hard to access are sometimes overlooked and remain uncleaned. Illumination can make all the difference during calculus removal. This is why striving to get high-quality instruments and devices that can give better tactile sensation and illumination may be a good idea to invest in. One might think, the more light in the office, the better, and that may not necessarily be true. When the light reflects off surfaces, it may make it difficult to see minor details and obscure vision.

The problem with too much light:



Too much light can be a problem. Blinding light may hinder vision and make it difficult to see things properly. Powerful overhead dental light also obstructs vision and makes it difficult for the operator to carry out procedures. There is too much light in the dental office, lights coming from the overhead LED and halogen bulbs in the office contribute to the glare. High illumination tends to create reflections from stainless steel instruments, that may hinder the operators vision. Dentists tend to shift positions to get a better view inside the cavity. The constant movement can add up in the procedure time and may make the procedures unnecessarily long. Incorrect posture and constant shifting may cause development of musculoskeletal problems in dental professionals. Better vision hence encourages better posture.


What to do about the reflections?


Traditional stainless steel instruments produce too much glare. GerDentUSA has its own line of black dental instruments that minimize glare in the dental office to tackle the issue better. Matte instruments minimize glare and black color enhances the contrast against the oral mucosa. Both ensure superior vision inside the mouth. It can hence be concluded that light can either be good but also sometimes a nuisance to the dentist. When it is properly focused, it can make all the difference, but when it is unfocused and reflects of, it can become a huge problem. You should ultimately be armed with the right tools and dental instruments, as light can singularly make a huge difference in the quality of treatment.


LED lights;


The quality of light in dental offices is as important as is magnification. When magnification increases, it causes the field of view to become darker as the light spreads out. Overhead lights can solve this issue by providing spot illumination. This helps prevents shadows on the operating field. Also, it helps to reduce eye strain and the need for shifting positions. LED systems in headlights do not require heating. Battery run LED lights have the added advantage of being portable and operators do not have to worry about the cable attached to the lights.

LED headlights and their advantages:

LEDs conserve energy and also produce less heat. Also, LEDs are more durable as there are no filaments to break. Another added advantage is that LEDs are more portable.

Consider these factors while purchasing LEDs


Some factors that need to be considered while purchasing the LED headlights are to look for the color of the light emitted by the LEDs. White light is recommended as the most desirable color. Lower temperatures produce a yellowish light, while higher temperatures produce a more bluish light. The weight of the headlight is also important to look for. Heavier lights may add unnecessary weight to the loupes of the operator. Hence a lightweight light should be purchased. LED headlights are powered by portable batteries attached to labcoats and belts and are carried in the shirt pockets. In addition, many LEDs have a fitted orange filter to block any polymerization of composite materials. Also, dentists usually prefer mounting lights on loupes, hence also look for lights that can be mounted. LEDs with mounting on headbands are also available, the advantage of headbands is that they evenly distribute the weight throughout. Additionally, check for battery life as batteries need periodic replacement and have a life expectancy of about one to two years.

To accurately measure the light output, make sure that the company states the distance accurately.