Impact of dental loupes and operating microscopes on restorative performance of preclinical and clinical dental students: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: The integration of magnification devices into dental education is widely recommended, yet evidence regarding their impact on student performance remains limited. The present study evaluated the effect of dental loupes (DL) and dental operating microscopes (OPMI) on the quality of crown preparation and provisional restoration among preclinical and clinical dental students compared with standard protective glasses (SG). METHODS: Sixty dental students participated: 30 preclinical (fifth semester) and 30 clinical (ninth semester). Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: DL (ZEISS EyeMag Pro S 3.5 × 400), OPMI (ZEISS EXTARO 300), or SG (control). Each prepared a crown and a provisional restoration. Outcomes were assessed conventionally (expert ratings) and digitally (objective parameters). Performance differences were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Optical magnification significantly improved restorative performance compared with SG. Preclinical students using OPMI achieved the highest overall scores, while clinical students performed best with DL. The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) confirmed significant differences between OPMI and SG, but not between preclinical and clinical groups. CONCLUSIONS: Optical magnification improved restorative outcomes compared with standard glasses. OPMI use was most beneficial in preclinical training, whereas DL appeared more advantageous in clinical settings. Integrating optical magnification into dental education enhances skill acquisition and clinical quality. Within the limitations of the present pilot study, microscope-assisted training improved the quality of restorative preparation outcomes in a preclinical student setting. Further studies are required to confirm these findings in larger cohorts and clinical environments.