Dental Loupe Versus Dental Operating Microscope for Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Periodontitis is a multifactorial, non-infectious disease that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Advanced stages of periodontitis can affect chewing ability, nutritional status, and quality of life. Calculus removal, root planing, and mechanical removal of plaque should be considered a fundamental part of initial periodontal treatment. Furthermore, patients who undergo calculus removal and root planing followed by regular maintenance programs experience less tooth loss and clinical attachment loss. Calculus removal and root planing are integral parts of non-surgical periodontal treatment to remove bacterial plaque and calculus from diseased root surfaces. The use of magnification systems to increase the field of view in both surgical and non-surgical procedures dates back to the 1860s with the first use of surgical microscopes. Magnification systems were first used in dentistry in the first half of the 20th century. In 1978, Apotheker and Jako developed the first surgical microscope for use in dentistry. The use of magnifying loupes as visual aids by dentists has become increasingly popular over the years, with continuous improvements in design and effectiveness. A 2019 survey among dentists indicated that magnifying lenses are one of the significant technological advancements in this profession. Periodontal endoscopy is also one of the approaches clinicians use to improve visibility. Dental magnification systems are known to increase effectiveness, especially in interproximal areas where access and visibility are limited. Clinical studies have compared root surface planing procedures performed with periodontal endoscopy with traditional root surface planing. The results of the studies showed a significant difference in clinical outcomes in patients treated with periodontal endoscopy compared to those treated with traditional methods. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and microbiological benefits of image magnification systems (dental loupe and dental microscope) in scaling and root surface planing in the treatment of patients with periodontitis.