Did you really want to see that last pair of centrals in crisp detail? I mean, down to every last craze line and coffee stain?
If not, you’re probably one of those people that like shadows, you’ll want to go back down in your burrow and sleep through the next few months. Nothing uncomfortable or awkward for you, thank you. Please leave now – bye! – because the information below will only lead to spending money on things that you don’t care about.
Are they gone yet? Good. Now we can talk about this shadow business. Do you remember when you first started using loupes, how they made you sit up taller, take notice of things you never saw before, and how it is now that you cannot imagine working without them?
About a month ago I hooked a tiny little light onto my loupes in hopes that it would keep my back straighter. I didn’t really expect any more than that. At first it was nice, the light was whiter and just about the same intensity as the incandescent overhead light. Hmm. Then I realized that I had the power turned all the way down on the battery pack. What happened when I began dialing the light up was nothing short of a knee-trembling-Thank-You-Jesus epiphany moment. THE SHADOWS WERE GONE! I didn’t know that there were shadows in people’s mouths before. I didn’t realize that the shadows were extremely annoying in people’s mouths. I didn’t know that you could visualize the distal of tooth numbers 1 and 16 in full spectrum light and see down into that 4 mm pocket that never gets cleaned and scoop out that little yellow goo like a miner panning ankle-deep in a river of gold.
When you have a light attached to your glasses, it always spotlights your focus point exactly. It goes where you go (ouch! just don’t look your patient in the eye through your loupes). It helps you save time because you’re not always reaching up and adjusting the handle of the overhead light. And patients like it when they don’t feel like they’re in an interrogation session. It’s so free and breezy above the chair without all that equipment hanging over their heads.
Now that I’m using a headlamp it really is like a whole new world opened up to my eyes. It’s like the first time I started using loupes all over again. It’s like. Well it’s like something I should have done forever ago. The only two things that were holding me back until now were comfort and cost. I didn’t want to pay over $600 for what is essentially a flashlight. And I didn’t want it to be inconvenient to wear.
After evaluating just about everything offered at the dental meeting booths, one choice has ultimately claimed its place as my new pet: the LumaDent. Don Ton, DDS is the CEO of LumaDent, Inc. and he packs a great story about how his company got started from a DIY project, so I couldn’t resist supporting his business. Okay, I could have resisted if his product was no good, but in my opinion it is the best dental headlight available, for many reasons:
The Price. It is extremely reasonable for a niche market like dentistry. If you find it’s hard to swallow, geez, build it yourself. You’ll still need a battery pack, which you can purchase a la carte from LumaDent.
The Package. Totally turnkey. You get a rechargeable battery pack, a charger, a hip holster, a mount made especially for your type of existing frame, an orange filter, and all sorts of things to help you control your wires. If you have problems along the way, Dr. Don will make it right until you are happy.
The Promise. You hope that it will be comfortable. At 5 grams and a lens no larger than the size of a dime, the LumaDent weighs almost nothing. The headlight is only noticeable because of the wires. If you’re patient and work with the wires to learn how to wear them, they will be no more difficult to put on and take off than a tie. And as I stated before, the quality of the light is exceptional.
If you’re getting the idea that I was somehow coerced into this endorsement with money or discounted product that’s not the case here. I simply love my loupe light, I love juxtapositioning Punxsutawney Phil with shadowless dentistry and I hope to inspire you to see the way you practice in a whole new….
…way. Ha. You thought I was going to say light.
Oh, man. I must say your article has tempted me. I may be hooked already. Nice article!
I have a LumaDent light. It’s far superior to any other light I have had. The customer service is top notch!
That being said, I cannot imagine performing any dental procedure without a light mounted to my loupes. Once you start using a light, you can’t stop. It’s like a drug…but not destructive.
Like a drug! Ha! I hear you, Eric. Since I started using my headlight there has not been a patient that I *didn’t* use it with. Glad that you are also happy with the company’s customer service as well. That sort of reputation is critical these days.
The only problem with really bright headlights is that, without noticing it, they will eventually harm your eyes if you keep the setting to high. I dont know if that’s the case with this light; I’ll have to check it out. But there’s a headlight I just got that once I got it, I decided it’s the best – it’s just now hitting the market. It’s called D-Lite – I looked up LumaDent just now and D-Lite is a little bit lighter (less than 4 grams), has a longer battery life that charges in less time (12 hours from a 2 hour charge), D-Lite makers will custom fit it to any frame (I think you said LumaDent does that too so that’s great), but what sold me is that D-Lite is the only HANDS-FREE headlight. I can’t believe someone hadn’t thought of this sooner! The on/off switch isn’t on the battery pack; it’s a separate, small clip that is a button I push in or out just by tapping my elbow, wrist, or arm with. Makes me feel so much better about the worry of cross-contamination. I love headlights though – they’re definitely going to the be future of dentistry lighting. I mean for $550 each (thats the convention price I got for a pack of 3), if I was starting a new practice I’d just buy enough of these for the staff and pass buying the $2000-3000 overhead light (for each chair)! In any case, I’m with you – I’m sold on headlights!
Its a really wonderful Blog.I LOVE all your great ideas and thank you so much for sharing!!
The Lumadent Light unit is great I have had mine for many years, I also have a UKloupes LED light unit which is very good quality and value for money!
HI Trish, It was the Lumadent light that introduced me to the lightweight LED Headlights for loupes and the Light worked great until it broke on me. However After discovering the how great it was to have a light like this I started doing my research and came across LA Lens’ Starlight Mini http://www.la-lens.com This LED light weights only 4 grams is slightly brighter at 44,000 Lux completely shadow-free and costs $495.00 – so less money still. I recommend it!
I have the Feather Lite from UltraLight Optics UK (http://www.ultralightoptics.co.uk) . I don’t know how I managed dentistry before without it! I bought it because it’s the lightest light available (only weighs 3 grams), has a 16 hour battery and it fits my loupes. Customer service was top notch. I love the touch sensor feature especially because I don’t have to go searching in my pocket for the switch or touch it with my gloves on (ewww). At £500 you can’t really go wrong, as Kendrick says above it’s a massive saving vs an overheard light, which is awful in comparison to a loupes light – so much shadowing!
Hi,
We are the official UK Distributor of LumaDent lights and loupes.
Please get in touch with us at https://bryant.dental if you have any questions.
We guarantee the lowest prices and have student/FD/hospital staff discounts available.
Best,
Priyam
Thanks for such a great article! I use my light 100% of the time and its more important than my loupes, it’s like doing dentistry on easy mode. I never use the overhead light any more due to shadowing, and I find my light doesn’t add any weight to my loupes. I used to use a LumaDent light but the wire kept on breaking, so I found a similar light (that’s significantly cheaper) and does the same job! (www.theloupescompany.com if you’re interested)