Technology permeates everything we do in modern dentistry. From composite chemistry, to handpieces (like ProDrive), to lighting. As regular readers know, I'm a huge fan of portable LED operator's lights that attach to your surgical telescopes.
Now, even the lowly dental overhead track light is getting a high tech makeover. LED's are changing the world we live in and not just in dentistry. In the not too distant future, I'll be evaluating the EverLight from DentalEZ which is an LED track light system. For those of you who use and appreciate good lighting from a track light, this evaluation should be of interest to you. LED's have incredibly long lives (50k-100k hours) which means the track light itself may wear out before the lights themselves do.
We'll be testing it out and putting it through its paces while reporting about it here, so check back regularly.
Here are the details from DentalEZ:
See all your procedures in a true light.
Operatory lights made with 100% true LED technology, only from DentalEZ®.
DentalEZ is the first in the U.S. to design an operating light with 100% true direct LED technology. EverLight enables you to work with more precise, direct light without the need for reflectors or fans. Plus, it’s cool, quiet, and environmentally friendly.
• Natural daylight illumination provides clearer oral cavity visibility
• 9 color/intensity settings to meet all your operative needs, including color matching
• Consumes 70% less energy than halogens; lowers bills
• Lasts 10 times longer than halogens
• Available in six mounting options
• Revolutionary, affordable LED technology
Proper lighting is only as good as its positioning. The optimal position of EverLight for a supine patient is directly above the patient’s mouth for mandibular and maxillary. Whenever possible, the light should be in the patient’s mid-saggital plane directly above or slightly behind the patient’s oral cavity. A good guide for proper lighting is to keep the light and eye lines within 15º degrees of each other. For lower anterior lingual the best access is slightly behind.(1) Improper lighting contributes to 25% of fatigue. Proper lighting, on the other hand, can increase production by as much as 20%. Correctly positioned operatory lighting minimizes shadows and maximizes effectiveness.
1 Denise C. Murphy, DrPH, COHN, Ergonomics And The Dental Care Worker (Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 1998) p. 301.
- 3 Kelvin Color temperatures, 3 Lux intensity settings
- 12 Philips luminated LEDs maximize light output resulting in brighter, more efficient LED
- Available in 6 mounting configurations, including chair mounted shown here
- Focused light pattern provides proper color corrective light for all procedures
If you've been looking for a LED headlight, but have been putting off the purchasing decision due to cost, this may be just the thing you've been waiting for. I was talking with the folks at High Q Dental over the weekend and they've offered a tremendous deal for readers of the blog.
