In my 33+ years in dentistry, the MagnaVuPSII dental procedure scope ranks right at the top of my list of the most exciting advancements, right up there with the advent of adhesive dentistry in the 70’s, ‘curing lights’ changing from a one minute curing time to twenty seconds in the early 80’s, the success of dental implants in the 90’s and acceptance of laser-assisted dentistry for hard and soft tissues in the first decade of the 21st century.
There is finally a product that combines an amazing array of integrated technologies all in one unit. It addresses and solves the three universal challenges facing those performing clinical dentistry:
- Magnification: up to 23X without wearing loupes for BOTH dentist and dental assistant
- Lighting: custom LEDs produce natural, color corrected light that is shadow free and brighter than most operatory lights
- Ergonomics: flat screen visualization of the clinical field that creates a ‘head-up’ and ‘neutral spine’ position that reduces back, neck and eye strain for both dentist and dental assistant
This never-before-seen device is called MagnaVu PSII or Magnified Video Dentistry. The product literature accurately states that it
"…produces clear, precise, highly magnified images which eliminate the need for most loupes, dental cameras, microscopes, and even operatory lights’ while meeting all ergonomic requirements for dentistry."
In addition to these aforementioned three enhancements, this technology also serves as a patient education/intraoral camera device, a digital camera, and with the VELscope quick connect option, a very effective oral cancer screening system.
Company history
The three owner/developers of MagnaVu PSII --Bob Seawell, Lee Harrison and Randy Donahoo-- have close to70 years of combined experience in the field of dentistry. Over the years, they
- Heard Dr. Gordon Christensen repeatedly ask, beginning in the mid 1990’s, “When will someone invent a non-invasive (outside of the oral cavity) dental microscope?”
- Learned of so many lost to the profession through neck and back injuries through the ergonomic failures of available dental delivery.
- Recognized the huge benefit of using visual aids for patient education.
So the three developers paired their patents and knowledge about intra-oral cameras, digital cameras/photography, magnification techniques, and ergonomic concerns of dentists with a strong desire to integrate these technologies in creating the MagnaVu.
When Dr. Gary L. Sanchez saw the value of their concept, he also found the perfect company with which to pair his newly designed operatory chair, “The HealthChair’(Garrex,LLC). When Seawell, Harrison and Donahoo learned about VELscope, paring their operatory light with it was a natural fit.
So what exactly is this ‘thing’ that they developed?
Here are the components:
- A thin, fairly flat, lightweight, newly designed ‘operatory light’ that houses not only the light with three intensity settings but magnification and a digital camera. The VELscope oral cancer screening examination system can be easily added with the quick connect feature.
- A patented system that projects the oral image onto two flat-screens
- One is above the patient for doctor
- The other is for the dental assistant positioned in his/her line of vision
- Optionally, the patient can sit up to view a specific treatment area
The system of ‘operatory light’ and flat-screens can be mounted on a post or on tracks in the ceiling. There is a mobile unit option. The entire mobile system (without operatory chair) can be broken down to fit into a case weighing a total of 100 lbs.
Why is this concept so brilliant and the benefits so significant?
- The dentist or dental assistant can sit up-right in a spine-neutral, fully supported position in the HealthChair, looking straight forward working off of their respective flat-screens. They no longer need to bend/ twist to look down into the mouth. Spinal damage, pain and early termination of careers in dentistry can now be avoided. Better quality dentistry can be accomplished.
- The dental assistant can, for the very FIRST time in the history of the profession, see exactly what the dentist sees all day long. The MagnaVuPSII studies show that all assistants report they are able to not only assist better than they ever have but can predict the doctor’s next two steps more easily, leading to more effective teamwork.
- So many technologies are married into an easily used, simply designed, lightweight unit. Now eliminated are additional large financial investments and clutter created by separately purchased bulky/ heavy/ expensive loupes, microscopes, patient education systems and intra-oral cameras.
- A more comprehensive oral cancer screening can be done by adding magnified VELscope visualization of tissues adjunctively to the standard visual and palpation examination techniques. With the enhanced depth of field and ability to magnify a the mouth up to 23X optical image and 46X digital zoom for a digital image, suspicious areas can now be more accurately viewed, images sent to others for further evaluation, and downloaded for documentation purposes. The early detection of oral cancer at an early stage can improve the five year survival rate from 22-50% to 90%. Saving a tooth is important. How about saving a life!
Excitement for this integrated technology
The owner/developers enthusiastically state that MagnaVu is the “best kept secret in dentistry” right now. Moves are being made to change all of that. The ADA, Greater New York Meeting and California meetings have all requested their units for filming hands-on clinical programs at those respective meetings. Sales are beginning to take off.
They also shared that the most significant new technological aspect of the magnification system they developed rests in their newly patented camera that is built into the operatory light. The camera has a 4-6” depth of field but allows a working range of 6-18” from side to side all the while leaving the magnified image clearly in focus. The ability to have an image remain in focus at a high level of magnification as one moves from tooth to tooth has never before been accomplished in dentistry.
They proudly hand out testimonials from doctors whose careers were saved by stopping intense neck and back pain. They confidently state, “We have changed four-handed dentistry to TRUE four-handed dentistry”.
Final note
Through its integration of technology while addressing the most important needs of the profession, the MagnaVu PSII represents a major ‘paradigm shift’ away from how dental care has been delivered for literally thousands of years. What an exciting time to be in this incredible profession called dentistry!
Review Synopsis
Product
MagnaVuPSII Dental Procedure Scope
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line