The dental specialty of endodontics has performed the vast majority of research regarding magnification in dentistry. Because the identification of accessory canals in addition to the primary pulp canals is essential to complete nonsurgical root canal therapy, magnification provides dentists enhanced visualization to locate and treat more obscured canals.

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A loupe (/ˈluːp/ LOOP) is a simple, small magnification device used to see small details more closely.[1] They generally have higher magnification than a magnifying glass, and are designed to be held or worn close to the eye. A loupe does not have an attached handle, and its focusing lens(es) are contained in an opaque cylinder or cone. On some loupes this cylinder folds into an enclosing housing that protects the lenses when not in use.

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Jewellers typically use a monocular, handheld loupe to magnify gemstones and other jewelry that they wish to inspect.[4] A 10× magnification is good to use for inspecting jewelry and hallmarks[4] and is the Gemological Institute of America's standard for grading diamond clarity. Stones will sometimes be inspected at higher magnifications than 10×, although the depth of field and field of view become too small to be instructive.[5] The accepted standard for grading diamonds is therefore that inclusions and blemishes visible at 10× impact the clarity grade.[6] The inclusions in VVS diamonds are hard to find even at 10×.[7]

Loupes are an essential tool in both numismatics, the study of currency, and the related practice of coin collection. Coin collectors frequently employ loupes for better evaluation of the quality of their coins, since identifying surface wear is vital when attempting to classify the grade of a coin. Uncirculated coins (coins without wear) can command a substantial premium over coins with slight wear. This wear cannot always be seen with the naked eye. Numismatists can also employ loupes to identify some counterfeit coins that would pass a naked-eye visual inspection.[citation needed] Loupes are similarly used for evaluating other collectable objects, such as trading cards and antiques.

Interestingly, antique magnifying glasses can be worth quite a significant amount of money due in large part to their fine craftsmanship and the cost of the materials used to manufacture them. While you can find common antique examples of magnifying glasses in antique stores or vintage shops for as little as $10, the older, more exquisitely preserved examples can cost in the thousands-of-dollars range. For example, this 19th century sterling silver and mother-of-pearl hand-held magnifying glass is listed for nearly $1,400, meanwhile this unique 19th century magnifying glass that sits within a stand is listed for about $1,250 in another auction.

Analog (film) photographers use loupes to review, edit or analyze negatives and slides on a light table. Typical magnifications for viewing slides full-frame depend on image format; 35 mm frames (24×36 mm slides to 38×38 mm superslides) are best viewed at ca. 5×, while ca. 3× is optimal for viewing medium format slides (6×4.5 cm / 6×6 cm / 6×7 cm). Often, a 10× loupe is used to examine critical sharpness. Photographers using large format cameras may use a loupe to view the ground glass image to aid in focusing. Users of digital single-lens reflex cameras use loupes to help to identify dust and other particles on the sensor, in preparation for sensor cleaning.[citation needed]

Dentists, hygienists, and dental therapists typically use binocular loupe glasses since they need both hands free when performing dental procedures. The magnification helps with accurate diagnoses of oral conditions and enhances surgical precision when completing treatment. Additionally, loupes can improve dentists' posture which can decrease occupational strain.[8] Some dental loupes are flip-type, which take the form of two small cylinders, one in front of each lens of the glasses. Other types are inset within the lens of the glasses.

Surgeons in many specialties commonly use loupes when doing surgery on delicate structures. The loupes used by surgeons are mounted in the lenses of glasses and are custom made for the individual surgeon, taking into account their corrected vision, interpupillary distance and desired focal distance. Multiple magnification powers are available. They are most commonly used in otolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, and vascular surgery.

Dental caries, also known as cavities, are most accurately identified by visual and tactile examination of a clean, dry tooth.[9] Magnification enables dentists to improve their ability to differentiate between a stain and a cavity. Cavities are rated and scored based on their visual presentation.[10] If magnification is too high diagnosis becomes difficult due to the small field of view. Ideal magnification for diagnostic purposes is up to 2×.[11][12] Treatment of dental caries, periodontal disease, and pulpal disease are all aided by magnification.

Together with proper access to the oral cavity, light is an important part of performing precision dentistry. Because a dentist's head often eclipses the overhead dental lamp, loupes may be fitted with a light source. Loupe-mounted lights used to be fed by fiber optic cables that connected to either a wall-mounted or table-top light source. Newer models feature a more convenient LED lamp within the loupe-mounted light and an electric cord coming from either the conventional wall-mounted or table-top light source or a belt clip rechargeable battery pack. Options for loupe-mounted cameras and video recorders are also available.[16]

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Another type of antique magnifying glasses that you might come across are those created to be worn as jewelry. Magnifying glasses often were worn by women as pendants, brooches, or on chatelaines. Since it was unlikely that 19th century women were allowed to wear spectacles in public, these portable magnifying glasses became incredibly popular during the period as a result. One such example is this set of beautiful magnifying glasses, which include a Pierre-Bex Art Deco magnifying glass necklace made from gold plated copper and trimmed with rhinestones.

Treatment of periodontal disease is achieved by removing calculus deposits, plaque and therefore bacteria which causes inflammation and subsequently bone destruction. In severe cases, surgery to reduce pocket depth is indicated. Periodontists and hygienists must visualize plaque and calculus to remove it. Magnification can assist dentists and hygienists with identification and removal of plaque and calculus in addition to improving visualization for periodontal surgery.[13]

Conservators often use hand held loupes or head-mounted binocular magnifiers such as the Optivisor to examine artifacts and documents requiring cleaning or repair.

Reading stones, the predecessors of the magnifying glass, were supposedly used by farsighted monks as early as the eleventh century according to the historical record. Made from polished and shaped rock crystal, beryl, or glass, reading stones were placed flat onto the text to allow the lens to magnify the text. This same concept is still used today when you use a full page or a flat sided, one line magnifier that is laid flat on top of a page. As time passed and Venetian glass blowers refined their glass making techniques, frames to hold magnifying glasses were developed, and these highly-crafted magnifying lenses were secured in them. From these early beginnings soon came the development of microscopes, telescopes, and eyeglasses.

Whether or not you've amassed an expansive collection or have just acquired your first piece, antique magnifying glass collections should be displayed for everyone to enjoy. You can buy special display cases and tables which will hold these treasures proudly, or you can invest in another antique for your home and repurpose antique furniture to show-off your growing exhibit. Either way, remember to keep your antique magnifying glasses away from direct heat and/or sunlight as they can become a fire hazard. Thankfully, you don't need to have failing eyes to be able to put an antique magnifying glass to use.

Ergonomics have long been a pain point for doctors who need to physically strain, bending over and looking down, to treat their patients. Over time this posture results in discomfort, pain, and even neuromuscular disease.[14] Some modern loupes address this by incorporating refractive prisms which alter the course of the light through the telescopes, so that the dentist can maintain a neutral, upright position with eyes relaxed and looking straight ahead.

Most of the magnifying glasses that are sought after by today's collectors date from between the 18th century through to the mid-1950s. Over the course of a few centuries, the handles and casings of magnifying glasses have been made out of a variety of materials, and some examples of the most common materials used include:

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A typical magnification for use in dentistry is 2.5×, but dental loupes can be anywhere in the range from 2× to 8×.[15] Optimal magnification is a function of the type of work the doctor does - namely, how much detail he or she needs to see, taking into consideration that when magnification increases, the field of view decreases. As a tool that sits on the face and is used for hours at a time, weight is also a significant factor in considering the type of loupes to use.

Magnifying glasses that were part of a one-piece set were very popular in the early 1900s. Many of these combination lens magnifiers of the time came on stands or mounts, and some even were equipped with small pencils in a tiny compartment. Here are a few examples from various collections of these combination magnifying glasses.

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An antique magnifying glass is more than a functional tool that makes objects appear larger. From the elaborate Victorian repoussé designs to the sleek lines of those from the Art Deco era, each magnifying glass represents a historic treasure from years past that needs to be properly cared for and preserved. Take a look at how these unique tools gained popularity and why collectors value them today.

Loupes are employed to assist watchmakers in assembling mechanical watches. Many aspects require the use of the loupe, in particular the assembly of the watch mechanism itself, the assembly and details of the watch dial, as well as the formation of the watch strap and installation of precious stones onto the watch face.

Loupes are used in many professions where magnification enables precision work to be done with greater efficiency and ease. Examples include surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, the jewelry trade, gemology, questioned document examination and watchmaking.[3] Loupes are also sometimes used in photography and printing.