Loupe magnification differences: 2.5x to 8x
These images demonstrate the magnification differences from 2.5x to 8x.
by KEVIN KUO, DDS, MMSc | February 14, 2019
The most common loupe magnification in dentistry is 2.5x.
It is pretty much the default magnification for decades for dentists without change into 2019. Why is that you might ask? You can watch my complete opinion in this video here. In sum, 2.5x has become the "standard" through time due to historical considerations by both dental students and dental loupe manufacturers. 2.5x is considered easier for dental students to learn and easier for manufacturers to calibrate for dental providers.
Now, my question to everyone is: should 2.5x be the standard? Before I answer that question, let us take a look at what things look like in other magnifications compared to the current standard.
In the above examples, one can see a tremendous difference between 2.5x to 8x. Keep in mind the prepped molar is a deciduous tooth. Stay tuned for my next article post and video about which magnification I recommend for your next dental loupes!
Watch the corresponding video about this topic here on KevinKuoProductions YouTube Channel.
