Sarah Salah Gaafar
European Journal of General Dentistry - 2026;15(2):157-168
This literature review aims to evaluate the influence of magnification devices, such as loupes and microscopes, on the performance and learning outcomes of undergraduate dental students in endodontic therapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2016 and 2024. The search included keywords such as "magnification," "endodontic therapy," "undergraduate students," and "dental education." Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles and clinical and preclinical studies addressing magnification in endodontic training. Data were extracted, analyzed, and synthesized to assess the impact of magnification on students' technical performance, learning, skill acquisition, confidence, and educational implications. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The review findings indicate that the use of magnification significantly improved performance in endodontic procedures, enhancing success rates and the quality of work. Students also reported increased confidence when using magnification. Language bias where only English-language studies were included, restricting the search to the past 10 years, variability in study designs, and outcome measures may have limited the comparability of findings. The evidence suggests that magnification significantly enhances undergraduate students' performance and confidence in endodontic therapy. Integrating magnification devices into endodontic training programs is likely to improve student outcomes. Dental schools should consider incorporating magnification tools into their endodontic curricula to improve student competency and confidence. Further research should explore optimal magnification modalities for different endodontic procedures and assess the long-term impact of magnification training on clinical practice.
