Finding the right dental headlight is a tricky business to tackle considering the many factors that you need to keep an eye on and the wide array of options to choose from. In fact, it is easier for you to pick the wrong headlamp than to get the right one. This comprehensive dental headlight user guide aims to make your dental headlight purchasing journey a bit trouble-free and to provide you with the essential things and the critical features that you need to consider when purchasing a new dental LED headlight.

Light weight

The weight can add up when you use the headlight for an extended period of time. When it starts to feel like the headlight is getting heavy, you will start feeling uncomfortable as well. This will not only affect your performance but will also cause pain and stress on the bridge of your nose and neck. Regardless of whether you are planning to buy a spectacles-mounted or a head-mounted LED headlight, it is important to choose the one with the lightest weight.

Size of the illuminated field

Another critical feature that you need to consider when picking a new LED dental headlight is the size of the illuminated field. Ideally, the headlight should be able to illuminate and perfectly fit the entire magnified field. 

Adjustable light intensity

According to common belief, the brighter the headlight is, the better. The truth is brighter illumination is not always the best. Each dental procedure needs a specific level of light intensity. One critical feature to look for in a dental LED headlight is the adjustability of light intensity. It is important that you choose the one that allows you to easily adjust the intensity of the light and provides you with variations in background lighting. A LED headlamp with adjustable light intensity does not only help you optimize your ability to make visual discriminations, it likewise helps you lower down your risk of getting eye strain.

Distinct field edge

You should also look for a headlight with distinct and crisp field edge. If the field edge is poor, the edges of the illuminated field will become vague. This usually causes intensity or color blending. Sometimes it also produces a band of partial light in between the unilluminated and the illuminated areas. A crisp and distinct field edge can help you cut down the risk of glare in the eyes of the patient and also into the eyes of the assistant.

Natural Light Beam Colour

Most of the dental headlight manufacturers would say that the newer LEDs are the best ones that produce a bright white light color. Although this may be true at times, it is still important that you check it out yourself. Try to focus the headlamp on a plain wall, most preferably a white blank spot, and then see the color of the light being produced. The best beam color for dentistry is always the one that is close to natural light (approximately 5500 degrees Kelvin) as this beam color allows you to see and assess the real color of the teeth and the entire oral cavity without any color distortions.