Three reasons to master indirect vision skills.
If you're a dental professional, you've likely heard at least once about the necessity of mastering indirect vision skills. But why is it crucial to develop these skills, and what happens if you don't? Today, I want to share my experiences and insights on this topic.
As a dentist with over 25 years of practice, it took me two decades to fully acquire indirect vision skills. The turning point for me was when I developed serious musculoskeletal issues due to improper posture during treatments. Mastering these skills corrected my posture and made me regret not learning them sooner. A colleague of mine also expressed that after learning mirror work skills, he couldn't imagine returning to his old ways. Now, let's explore the positive changes that come with mastering these skills.
Improvement in Posture
Relying on direct vision often requires dentists to maintain a bent posture to see the treatment area clearly, which can lead to long-term musculoskeletal problems. Using dental mirrors for better visibility helps maintain a correct posture, which can be a lifelong asset in your dental career.
In my practice, almost all procedures, from examinations to treatments, are conducted under a dental microscope. In these instances, indirect vision skills play a crucial role.
Predictability in Treatments
Consider the extraction of a root of the upper premolar. The difficulty of this procedure can significantly vary depending on whether you can see the surgical site properly. Without clear visibility, you might rely on tactile sensation, leading to unpredictable and prolonged procedures. However, with a mirror providing a clear view, extractions can be performed more predictably and within a set protocol.
Due to hypertrophy of the apical part of the maxillary second premolar, extraction using an elevator is impossible. Extraction was performed using a root picker after separating the buccal and lingual sides with the aid of a dental mirror to ensure visibility.
Increased Accuracy and Efficiency
Take crown preparation as an example. How do you proximal reduction in the second maxillary molar? Previously, like many, I would have relied on feel, occasionally damaging adjacent teeth. Now, using an indirect vision allows me to see and precisely control the proximal reduction process, avoiding damage to neighboring teeth and speeding up the procedure.
A dental mirror can effectively provide a clear field of view for operations even for the most posterior areas of the mouth, such as the maxillary second molars.
In essence, mastering indirect vision skills allows dental professionals to correct their posture, enhance the predictability of their procedures, and conduct treatments with greater accuracy and efficiency. These skills are indispensable for improving patient outcomes and preserving the longevity and quality of your dental practice.
