This is the fourth and final part of the four-part blog series about the different important characteristics, factors, or features that you need to look into when shopping for loupes.

Quick Recapitulation:

In the first three parts, we have discussed about the following factors:

 - Working Distance
 - Angle of Declination
 - Field of View
 - Depth of Field
 - Weight
 - Interpupillary Distance
 - Quality of Optics and Frame
 - Type and Design of Dental Loupes

We have also talked about how important these factors are and how they can affect your decision when shopping for new dental loupes. In this part, we will discuss the remaining important factors such as the resolution, prescription lenses and magnification level.

Prescription Glasses

If you wear prescription lenses, the best option is to pick flip up loupes, unless otherwise, you use a contact lens. It is easier to change the prescription lenses in a flip-up loupe than in a TTL loupe. Since the optical barrels of TTL loupes are directly drilled into the carrier lenses, changing the prescription glasses would mean doing the customization all over again, which can be quite time-consuming and expensive.

For maximum performance and to correctly integrate all prescription considerations into the lenses during the customization process, it is recommended that you get your eyes tested first before ordering the loupe most especially if you choose the TTL loupes.

Resolution

Resolution is the ability of the optical lens to form distinguishable images of objects that are separated by small spaces or distances. For dental optical loupes, higher resolution is recommended as it allows you to see your work area in fine detail.

Magnification Level

Although selecting the magnification level is based largely on personal preferences, there are a few important guidelines that you need to keep in mind in order for you to find the perfect choice for your specific needs.

Magnification levels for dental optical loupes vary from 2.5x to 6.0x. The learning curve when it comes to using the loupes become more challenging as the magnification level increases. If it is your first time to use a dental loupe for your daily practice, it is better to choose the one with the lowest magnification power. This way, it won't be too difficult for your eyes to adjust to magnified images and for you to get used to using the loupe. Once you get accustomed to using dental loupes, and you think that the current magnification level is not enough for you to carry out complicated dental procedures more precisely and accurately, you can then try to upgrade your loupe into higher magnification levels.

Not all dental procedures require the same level of magnification. It is important that you identify ahead of time how you are going to use the dental magnifying loupe. Picking the magnification level will also depend on the dental field. For implantology, specialty magnification general dentistry, and dental hygiene, a 2.5x, 3.0x, or 3.5x magnification level is enough. For endodontics, bridge and crown work, you can choose 3.5x or 4.0x magnification level. For dental technicians and those who will use loupes for lab work, the best magnification levels are 4.0x, 5.0x, and 6.0x.

Also keep in mind that the magnification level will directly affect other factors such as the field of view, depth of view, and working distance. The lower the magnification power is, the wider the field of view will be.

And this ends this four-parts blog series. With these essential features, factors, and characteristics of dental loupes in mind, you will surely be able to pick the right pair for you.