I recently published an article on Dental Operating Microscopes for General Dentists and a lot of the factors to consider when choosing one. In this post, I’ll discuss why I personally chose a Leica M320 Dental Microscope.
To Choose a Scope, Get a Demo
After having used a rented Zeiss OMPI Pico 5-step DOM for 3 years, in 2012 it was time to finally purchase my own. In fact, we needed 2 scopes to continue our growth, as it was very limiting to only have 1 op to schedule many procedures. With a lot of changes in technology over those 3 years, I knew it was important to do demos again.
I was able to schedule demos with Leica, Zeiss, and Seiler; I was not able to contact anyone with Global, but had demo’d a Global G6 in 2009 during my initial scope trials. The Zeiss that I’d rented had a halogen light source, which is rather yellow in color and the least bright of all light sources available, and I wanted brighter.
I was able to demo a Zeiss with Xenon, Seiler Revolution with Metal halide, and Leica with Dual LED. While each of them is an excellent scope in its own right, I ultimately chose a Leica M320, for the reasons listed below.
The Leica Advantages
- Up-Front Cost: in terms of cost, the Leica is not cheap – it starts around $23,000, and depending on the accessories you choose, it can get up to about $28,000. This is obviously not cheap, and yes, I wanted the DSLR adapters for my Canon cameras for documentation. However, this up-front cost is offset by a big cost-savings discussed below.
- In terms of purchase price, the Leica and and Zeiss are comparable when fully-equipped with accessories.
- For pure value, the Seiler is the clear winner. Starting at just $16,000, and fully-equpped with accessories at $21,000, it is clearly the most affordable of the choices. However, the light sources need replacing the most frequently, so over time the cost will go up.
- Dual LED lights: with the twin LEDs, the light intensity was IMO equal to the Zeiss Xenon. In this regard, it is clearly superior to the Seiler metal halide, but I couldn’t compare it to the plasma source they’re introducing. But seriously….the LED is incredibly bright. For both still photography and video, you need bright light, because as the level of magnification increases, the amount of light entering the scope and reaching your eye decreases.
- Long-term Costs: this is where the Leica really stood out. Everyone knows that LEDs are long-lasting, and the dual LED light bulbs on the Leica are rated at 60,000 hours. I’d have to leave the bulbs on 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, for 28 years before they’ll need replacing! If I’m even practicing in 28 years (I’m 41 at the time I write this), I probably won’t mind the replacement cost by then.
- In comparison, a replacement xenon bulb on the Zeiss runs about $4500; say it needs replacing every 6 years and I practice another 25 years, even if the price drops, that’s another $24,000 just in light bulbs, which is the cost of a whole new scope!
- I’m not sure at this time what the Seiler Plasma pricing is (will see if I can find out)
- The Leica also has very few moving parts to be replaced, so again, repair costs should be extremely low and rarely needed.
- Size: I found the Leica to have the smallest “footprint” in the space above the patient, while still having excellent maneuverability and optics.
- The Seiler and Zeiss are quite similar on this point – definitely bigger. Not a major deciding factor, because not a big difference, but it did come into play.
Factors That Didn’t Play a Role
The Leica M320 Dental Operating Microscope ROCKS!
I’ve been using my Leica’s for nearly 6 months now, and overall, I am extremely pleased. I’ll be adding some more details of why I love them in a future post. If you are looking at scopes, my personal recommendation right now is to seriously consider a Leica.
Hi Dr. Payet, excellent post on dental microscopy! Your insights have had a hand in helping me make my decision between Global and Leica. I am now a very proud and happy user of a M320 which I purchased for one of the practices for which I am an associate. (I’ve been using Global for the last 2 years at another practice where I started general dental microscopy.)
I have the M320 with a demo HD camera and I agree, it’s quite a disappointment as a Leica product. Like you I also have the DSLR adaptor (which is quite a bit longer than the Global adaptor) and am looking to add a Sony NEX5 series on it. As the Leica design has all wires internalized, may I ask how you configured/internalized your DSLR’s HDMI and AC adaptor cable into the pantographic arm?
John
i am an endodontist from india, wanted to buy microscope. i compared leica M320, zeiss opmi pico, Global G6, which is best amongst them in handling , service , cost effectiveness and maneuverable .can anyone please suggest me for this .
Dr. Have you bought a Microscope? I have boiled down to Leica and Zeiss. Have you purchased any
Very, very usefull comment Doc., Thank you a lot
Hi Dr. Payet! I am still in the process of deciding whether to purchase Leica M320 or Global G6. I focus on restorative dentistry and refer out all endo cases. Which brand do you think is most ergonomic? My office has a high ceiling which negates ceiling mounting. I have to go with either floor or wall mounting. Is there any problem with vibration when mounted on the wall? I agree with you in that the built-incamera is not good but I like its uncluttered and simple layout. Also, I like its HD video. Isn’t attaching DSLR add extra weight to the scope thus hinders its mobility? I appreciate your feedback as I am going to purchase two scopes.
David
David, thank you so much for the question, hope I can help.
When it comes to ergonomics, I think all of them are pretty darn good, with only small differences. There are only so many ways you can put together a scope for dentistry, really – handles, lenses, switches, etc – that’s why it’s kind of a matter of taste. If you can’t mount on the ceiling, then I know that Glenn van As recommends a doctor-side wall-mount as the next best option, or a floor mount on the patient’s left side. I would really recommend you get his videos BEFORE you even choose a scope, as he has a section on this. You may learn something specific that helps you decide which is best, based on your specific operatory layout. (BTW – if you do buy them, make sure to use the Coupon Code “PAYET” to receive a discount, and no, I don’t get a cut. 🙂 )
If you do a wall-mount, you’ll need a contractor to build in some really solid support, regardless of which brand you choose, in order to both avoid vibration and any risk of it breaking loose.
Regarding the DSLR adapter: quite simply, no….it’s not a problem. The Leica balances extremely well, and you can really tweak that exactly to your liking. Leica has done a superb job with their build quality IMO – it’s solid as a rock. It won’t make any difference what kind of DSLR you get, either – it only takes a small adjustment to account for more or less weight.
If you’d like to speak with me in person, send me an email through this website, and I’ll be glad to call you should you have any questions. If you’re anywhere near Charlotte, you’re also welcome to visit any time.
Thank you for the reply! My email is dhandds@hotmail.com. My office # is 909-597-1770, cell 714-350-7257. I recently spoke to Dr. Adriana McGreggor who has practiced periodontics with microscopes for over 15 years. She has a Leica M320 and a G6 in each operatory! She likes the light as you and I. However, she has had two issues: 1. Vignetting in lower and higher magnifications except 5X and8X; 2. Poor follow up services in the past. Adam was the only one who was excellent with service in Leica organization. My other concern is M320 does not offer eye protection with the built-in filter from a curing light or laser. Also, if I were to switch to ceiling mount in the future, it will cost about $9k each. Because of the configuration of my operatories, I cannot have the scopes mounted on ceiling. Is Leica that much superior to other scopes so that it will be worth for me to spent $18k in near future when I move to a new location? David
David,
Regarding the vignetting……can you be a bit more specific? Is it only when she’s taking photos, or just looking through the scope in general? I have not noticed any such vignetting personally way. I am curious if she has the 10x or 12x oculars? I had asked about the 10x, but Adam told me that the scopes are designed to work best (the way the dual LED’s are arranged) with the 12x, and that vignetting might happen with the 10x. Something to ask about.
About the service, I can’t say that I’ve heard anything bad about the service, but then again, Adam is my rep, so I’ve had very good service personally.
Eye filter: they DO have a yellow filter for the curing light, not sure why that wasn’t made clear? It’s a simple knob on the side that you flip. For lasers, I confess I have no answer, and you’ll need to talk with them about that. It’s certainly something they need to add, but since I don’t use a laser about which I’m concerned, I use the scope with my Periolase regularly with no problems.
An extra $9K per scope to remount the scopes to the ceiling in the future? Ouch, that’s not pocket change, and I’d have to think seriously about it. Only you can decide that, but if your original mount works just fine, you may never need to worry about doing that in the future, even if you move to a new location.
I think hit the nail on the head in this post. There are several microscope manufacturers out there for dental microscopy. There are about 3 or 4 big guys depending on who you ask. Personally I bought 4 of the Leicas after having demo’ed each of the other guys scopes including the big Zeiss ProErgo. It’s hard to think that a simple light source could make the biggest difference but once you use it, you know why. The fact that your disposables cost is zero for bulbs makes it all the more appealing. Microscope use will humble you and may show you a lot more than you ever wanted to see but your precision will improve which translates to better patient treatment. I’m an endodontist so treatment does not happen without my microscope so mine really is on 40 hours a week 50 weeks a year. I believe Leica is the best value and best quality microscope on the market hands down.
Nate