FITS ANY PAIR OF LOUPES, OFFERING EXCELLENT ILLUMINATION, SPOT SIZE, AND BATTERY RUN TIMES
Weighing just 28 g, the Firefly Cordless Headlight System, part of DenMat’s PeriOptix line of magnification products, offers a lightweight alternative to other bulky, built-in headlight designs without compromising bright-ness or style. Firefly is designed to fit any pair of loupes, which was a helpful feature to Dr. Sheikh, who easily attached them to his existing pair. He is able to see better in the operatory and feels better with less weight and more freedom. Here, Dr. Sheikh shares his experiences using Firefly.
I’m a general dentist but I focus on surgery, so I do both short procedures—simple fillings and root canals—as well as longer surgeries. I found visualization would be improved with better lighting. However, I never found a system that I could use easily that would adapt to my existing loupes, which are fairly heavy on their own—“Buddy Holly” style. I was actively searching for a solution, and then a rep for DenMat introduced me to Firefly.
After putting Firefly to the test during different procedures, here are the top 5 reasons why I use it:
1. I like the convenience of the cordless system. The fact that there are no cords is huge because I don’t have to run them through my scrubs to keep them out of the way.
2. Firefly is easy to use. It has a magnetic attachment where I can pick up the light and attach it onto a small mount. That was a big bonus.
3. The battery lasts long. DenMat includes 2 pods, so I always have a backup pod, and I’m generally getting 2 hours on 1 battery, which is great. I thought it would be a lot less not having a cord.
4. It’s easy to clean. Obviously, after doing surgery, I want to make sure my headlight is easily sterilized. With a cord, sometimes I didn’t want to take everything off my loupes to be able to get into the nooks and crannies. With Firefly, it is very simple; you just twist it off to clean.
5. The most important feature is the weight. At 28 g, it’s extremely light, and it doesn’t weigh down my already-heavy loupes. I’ve since seen other cordless headlights at some dental shows, but I’m glad I chose the lightest one!
Firefly also comes with a composite filter that’s very easy to use, so if we’re curing restorative materials, it’s just as simple as flipping the curing shield.
Shortly after adopting Firefly, I was performing a 4-hour surgical procedure called the “All-on-Four.” For me, visualizing the surgical field and seeing as much as I can is really important because I’m dealing with sinuses and nerves, and I want to perfectly position the implants. Firefly is not just a skinny, little light—it provides a very large field of illumination with a wide dimension, and I could place the implant in a much better 3-dimensional position.
I specifically remember this case due to its complexity, and I was forced to assess the surgical site from many different angles. It was not only an amazing feeling not being restricted, but also not feeling the weight on my nose from the light. I’ve been hooked on the Firefly ever since, and have recommended it to colleagues.
About Azeem Sheikh, DDS
Azeem Sheikh, DDS, is the owner of Brampton Dental Arts, a private practice in Brampton, Ontario, that focuses on dental implant surgery. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario Dental School in 2003, Dr. Sheikh received implant training at the University of Toronto and the Toronto Implant Institute. A global lecturer and motivational speaker, he has placed more than 3000 implants. He is currently the course director for Hiossen Basic Implant Training Program and the founder of Ontario Dental Implant Network where he performs live surgery and mentorship for dentists across Ontario, Canada
