This article is about the use of microscope assisted precision dentistry, or the use of microscope in oral health treatment. Although microscopes have been used in medicine as early as 1921, it wasn’t until the early nineties that microscopes were to be used for dental applications. Shanelec, Tibbets, Feldman Ruddle, Friedman and others were able to publish a series of papers that documented the use of microscope n endodontics, termed “microscope assisted precision dentistry (MAP dentistry). And in 1998 the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) proposed all postgraduate students should have an experience in operating and handling of a microscope, in order to qualify for a license in endodontics. In Australia where advancement is pioneered, dental laboratories have been using microscopes as early as fifteen years ago for checking filling margins and castings. Some maxillofacial surgeons and other dentist have used microscopes for apicectomies. With MAP dentistry, it is now possible to remove decayed dental tissue (caries) to its interface without affecting the normal adjacent tissue. The quality and precision that MAP dentistry has brought raised the accuracy in removing decayed tissue without unnecessarily sacrificing normal intact dentin. With this success it prevents the occurrence of secondary caries.

Dr. Peter Kotschy is a strong advocate of preventive, periodontology as well as minimal invasive dentistry, as such he has been using microscopes for preventive operations, periodontal and restorative procedures, endodontic, and prosthodotic work, enabling for a precise removal of secondary caries which was difficult before microscopes were introduced. What are the advantages of a microscope, first we have to look at the disadvantages. Conventionally, a decaying tooth is treated and filled with amalgam. This procedure is without certainty and complete caries control cannot be assured. It is a fact that a 100% caries control is impossible and a secondary caries will likely occur. In a secondary caries, it is actually a residual of primary caries, this are caries which were not completely removed. Although in the field of amalgam filling advancements have been made on the improvement of the type of amalgam filling, a tightly sealed amalgam cannot assure a secondary caries will not develop. Thus the article states, if we were able to completely remove primary caries will then be able to prevent further residual decay from spreading.

Microscope assisted precision dentistry (MAP dentistry), is one of the field in medicine were an articulating microscope is needed. Considering that dentistry as the article states, is one of the medical specialty with the most demanding precision standards. Microscopes have evolved from fixed type to articulating microscope types. Articulating microscope has the advantage of mobility. With an articulating arm, the articulating microscope can shift from one position without moving the entire equipment. Like most microscope in the field of surgery, articulating microscopes have video attachment capability wherein videos or images can be seen from an external monitor. The use of microscope assisted precision dentistry (MAP dentistry) is not only challenging but also time consuming, but considering the breakthrough in oral health surgery; in caries control, Dr. Peter Kotschy recommends the use for endodontic treatment and all other dental work in the fight to control caries.  Article link