The newest and most compact of Orascoptic’s fiber optic headlights, the Zeon Lumen Arc, has several improvements over Orascoptic’s older version, the Zeon Illuminator. Unlike the Zeon Illuminator, which uses a halogen bulb to illuminate the field, the Lumen Arc uses Solarc ™ metal halide technology, which creates a whiter, brighter light. Using this improved technology in conjunction with magnifying loupes is reputed to create more visual acuity with an increased depth of field and magnified resolution, and even boasts a more accurate shade matching potential. Although both products have a variable light intensity control, the Lumen Arc provides up to 5,500 foot-candles of illumination at a 16-inch working distance (versus up to 4,400 foot-candles at the same distance with the Illuminator). Both light units have a convenient composite curing filter that enables the operator to use the light while placing composite restorations without affecting the curing of the resin. The Lumen Arc is also significantly smaller and lighter at 3.5 X 5.5 inches and 1.2 pounds (versus 6.5 X 7.75 inches and seven pounds with the Illuminator).
These new and improved components of the Lumen Arc are definitely reflected in its price. At the time of this review, Orascoptic was selling the Lumen Arc for $875, compared to a promotional $490 for the Illuminator, $100 less than its usual price. Both light units require a seven-foot cable that attaches from the unit to the operator’s loupes, and there are several options depending on the time of loupe/eyeware. Bear in mind that this cable is sold separately from each light unit, and at the time of this review, the cable’s price through Orascoptic was $500.
Orascoptic claims a bulb life expectancy of 500 hours for the Lumen Arc. In comparison, the Illuminator bulb life expectancy is appreciably less, at 40 hours, but is also substantially cheaper. According to Orascoptic, however, when comparing the two light units’ cost for 500 hours of operation, the Lumen Arc is actually cheaper ($120 for a 500 hour bulb versus approximately $200 for several 40 hour bulbs with the Illuminator). I would advise anyone considering the purchase of either one of these units to do their homework and get current prices for bulb replacements from Orascoptic. On their website they quote $120 for Lumen Arc bulb replacements, but I just purchased a new bulb for my unit directly from Orascoptic and it was $159. It’s also worth mentioning that Orascoptic claims that the internal cooling fan of the Lumen Arc is silent, but I find this claim far from true—it’s pretty loud.
The compact size of the Lumen Arc unit is definitely a plus in the modern day operatory, where a non-cluttered, streamlined appearance is increasingly the trend. If simply setting the light unit directly on the operatory countertop isn’t suitable for your particular situation, Orascoptic offers three different mounting options for the Lumen Arc: wall, countertop, and under-the-counter brackets are available for an additional fee. I purchased the light unit without any mounting brackets, assuming I would just set the unit on the countertop. The problem with this scenario is that I move around a lot in my dental chair and have a tendency to pull the light unit around with me by the attaching cable. I have even knocked the unit off the countertop onto the floor, and with the substantial cost of replacement bulbs, the option of mounting hardware seems more and more attractive.
I have been using the Lumen Arc for several months in conjunction with Orascoptic’s Hi Res ™ Galilean loupes (2.5X ), and the combination has greatly enhanced my ability to see intraoral detail I overlooked in the past. Crown and bridge marginal discrepancies, leaky composites, fractures, and even interproximal calculus illuminate like never before, and have made me that much better of a diagnostician. In the process of improving my capacity to treat patients, dentistry has become more rewarding than ever. The enhanced illumination allows the operator to view intraorally with brilliant, shadowless illumination, and has virtually eliminated our need for using an overhead operatory light. My assistant also has benefited tremendously from the illuminating capacity of the headlight. Without the dependence on overhead light, she no longer spends time adjusting that light angle, which frees her to do other things. Overall, I am very pleased with the Lumen Arc and am considering purchasing more units for additional operatories.
