The Effects of Magnification and Operator’s Experience on the Quality of Preclinical Dental Procedures

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluated the effect of magnification on the quality of preclinical class I cavity preparations according to operator’s experience. Methodology: This was an experimental laboratory study. The response variable was the quality of Class I cavity preparations evaluated by the Class I Cavity Preparation Assessment - COCA. Class I cavity preparations were performed in all artificial first molars under four conditions: unaided visualization, using a simple loupe, using a Galilean loupe, and using a Keplerian loupe (N=640). The two-factor analysis of variance was performed (α=0.05). Results: No interactions between operator’s experience and magnification device were found (p>0.05). Although, higher quality scores were given to cavity preparations in tooth #36 using the Galilean loupe compared to naked eye (p<0.01). The more experienced operator received higher quality scores for tooth #46 regardless of the magnification system used (µexperienced=7.0±2.3 and µinexperienced=5.4±2.4). Conclusion: The use of magnification devices did not influence the quality of class I cavity preparations performed on tooth #16, 26, 46. Galilean loupe was associated with improved quality of the cavity preparation performed on tooth #36, and the operator’s experience influenced the quality of the preparation on tooth #46.