DCI - Dental Consulting GmbH - The specialist for loupe attachments for spectacles and LED Power-Spotlights
FAQ
Questions about Merident UltralightTM Loupe
1.) Can I adapt the loupe to my existing working glasses?
2.) Does the loupe work with progressive addition lenses?
3.) Which magnification is right for me? 2.5x or 3.2x?
4.) What are the advantages of the flip-up loupe as opposed to a TTL loupe?
5.) How can the working distance be altered?
6.) What factors need to be taken consideration in cases of presbyopia?
8.) How can I clean and disinfect the loupe?
Questions about LED-lights
1.) Why do I need an additional mini-op light?
3.) Why is white light so important?
4.) Is it possible to work with composite materials while using a LED light at the same time?
5.) What are the differences between the Merident DeLightTM and the DCI-LED Power-Spotlight?
6.) How do you explain the price differences?
7.) What is a lithium ion (li-ion) battery?
8.) Are the power sources rechargeable?
10.) Do I get a brighter light if I use a more powerful power pack?
FAQ for the Merident UltralightTM Loupe
1.) Can I adapt the loupe to my existing working glasses?
Yes, if:
- the working spectacles offer a firm basis, i.e. are stable in themselves
- the working spectacles have a suitable bridge on which our universal adapter can be mounted (bridge width of around 2 mm and unrounded)
- The working spectacles permit an overall ergonomic and comfortable way of working
2.) Does the loupe work with progressive addition lenses?
- Yes, our loupe generally works with every type of lens and almost any instance of ametropia. Our optician can recommend the kind of lens which is suitable for you. Success even in cases of adtorsion or prismatic correction is entirely possible.
Our recommendation: try out our system with our optician to find out what best suits you. - See also Question 6a.).
3.) Which magnification is right for me? 2.5x or 3.2x?
For everyday dental work the 2.5x magnification is the best. It offers a satisfactorily extensive working field (the whole of the oral cavity) and ensures comfortable working. If a higher magnification is required (e.g. for endodontology or root canal treatment) we would recommend a 3.2x magnification. Caution: the greater the magnification the smaller the working area!
Our recommendation would be to try out both systems.
4.) What are the advantages of the flip-up loupe as opposed to a TTL loupe?
- By flipping up the loupe (flip-up-function) the user can see through his or her working spectacles and work directly without changing glasses. In the case of the TTL loupe this is not possible, since magnification is built into the lens of the spectacles or stuck onto it.
- If the user’s dioptres change, it is easier and cheaper to have just one pair of lenses exchanged by the local optician than to return the working spectacles with the mounted loupe to the manufacturer and replace the entire optical system
5.) How can the working distance be altered?
In the case of the Merident UltralightTM loupe the working distance can be adjusted continually from approximately 30 – 50 cm. This is not possible with other systems. Stepless adjustment is generally important in order to determine the individual working distance of the user, or of relevance if the user sometimes stands and sometimes sits while working. Thus the loupe adapts to the user rather than the other way round, leading to a posture that is totally comfortable and ergonomic.
6.) What factors need to be taken consideration in cases of presbyopia?
- In general terms, from the optical viewpoint the loupe is simply a magnifier incapable of correcting ametropia. This means in the first place that the working spectacles should be provided with a suitable pair of lenses by a reliable optician. It often occurs that the left and right eye have varying degrees of vision, frequently accompanied by astigmatism. None of this can be corrected by a loupe. If a loupe without corrective lenses is used, first of all the optical results are less than optimal, and secondly the user quickly becomes tired since one or both eyes are being expected to work harder than they are able to.
- See also Question 2.), or Question 4.b).
7.) As an especially tall user, can I use the Merident UltralightTM loupe or can I treat patients using the loupe in a standing position?
We can offer our 3.2x magnifier with an extended working distance of 40 – 60 cm. Try out version 3.2 L.
8.) How can I clean and disinfect the loupe?
The loupe can be completely disinfected and can be cleaned with a damp disinfecting cloth without difficulty. CAUTION! Never hold the loupe under running water and do not place it in the ultrasonic bath!
9.) Further questions?
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us.
FAQ about LED Lights
1.) Why do I need an additional mini-op light?
The use of a conventional op light creates shadows. Only coaxial pure white light projected along the line of sight ensures shadow-free lighting of the working area and a marked colour differentiation such as that between blood and tissue. Its advantages become especially clear when working on side teeth, in microsurgery and when wearing loupes. These generally absorb light, making the use of additional lighting that much more important.
2.) What is LED?
This is an optical semiconductor which transmits visible light at a particular wavelength. The LED is smaller and lighter than conventional light sources, has a substantially longer life and produces little heat. Thus a high power LED uses only around 20% of the energy consumed by normal halogen lighting.
3.) Why is white light so important?
The ability to differentiate clearly between colours (such as between blood and tissue) is of great importance in dental medicine. This is made possible with a LED light, such as the Merident DeLightTM or the DCI-LED Power-Spotlight.
4.) Is it possible to work with composite materials while using a LED light at the same time?
Composite materials harden in a light wavelength of 420 – 580 nanometres, depending on the manufacturer. Since our LED lights make use of the full light spectrum this range is affected to only a limited extent. This permits the use of many commercially available composite materials without additional light filters.
5.) What are the differences between the Merident DeLightTM and the DCI-LED Power-Spotlight?
The Merident DeLightTM has been specially developed for the Merident UltralightTM loupe. It is ultra light (only 6 g), of filigree construction, and can be simply attached to the Merident UltralightTM loupe by means of a special adapter. It is compatible with only a small number of other loupe systems. The Merident DeLightTM is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion battery, produces light constantly for approximately 5 hours and offers a light intensity of about 30,000 lux (at a working distance of 35 cm).
The DCI-LED Power-Spotlight is our own product and can be adapted, in one version or another, to the loupe systems of virtually any other manufacturer. At 17g it is also still very light, although overall rather larger than the Merident DeLightTM .
The DCI-LED Power-Spotlight comes with battery packs or lithium ion batteries (see Question 8). This guarantees between 2 and 13 hours of power, depending on the power source. Light intensity is up to 30,000 lux (at a working distance of 30 cm).
6.) How do you explain the price differences?
The different energy sources (battery packs or li-ion batteries), design and weight are primarily responsible for the price differences.
7.) What is a lithium ion (li-ion) battery?
A lithium ion battery is a rechargeable battery without memory effect. These are well-known from their use in e.g. mobile phones.
8.) Are the power sources rechargeable?
Yes.
Both the Merident DeLightTM and the DCI-LED Power-Spotlight run off a rechargeable li-ion battery. This is charged in a short time by means of a mains unit inserted in a normal mains socket. The Classic and Basic power packs are supplied with batteries and can be used with commercially available rechargeable batteries if required. The necessary batteries and chargers are available in electrical stores.
9.) Can I upgrade my DCI LED Power Spotlight with a more powerful power pack at a later point in time?
Yes, this is always possible.
10.) Do I get a brighter light if I use a more powerful power pack?
Yes, you can expect an increase in light intensity depending upon the power pack used.
11.) Further questions?
Please get in touch with us if you have any other questions.
