Comparative evaluation of the use of magnification loupes in supragengival scaling procedures

AIM: The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate clinical and patient-centered outcomes of supragingival scaling performed with or without the use of 2.5× magnification loupes and illumination. METHODS: A total of 30 patients, divided into three groups, were treated with 2.5× loupes and 2.5× loupes and illumination, and without any magnification device. Full-mouth plaque score percentage (FMPS%) and full-mouth bleeding score percentage (FMBS%) were registered before and after the treatment. Moreover, perceived pain and quality of the treatment were recorded using a visual analog scale. Appropriate statistical analysis was adopted to analyze between-group differences for the investigated parameters. RESULTS: All of the patients completed the study protocol. All the groups were homogeneous at baseline. Supragingival scaling caused a significant reduction of FMPS% and FMBS% in all groups without differences among them. Moreover, no differences could be found for patient-centered outcomes. The duration of the treatment was significantly higher in the group in which loupes and illumination was used than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of magnification loupes (with or without illumination) did not significantly improve clinical and patient-centered outcomes of supragingival scaling procedures.