Drilling in the mirror

[marcusnasland]

Does anybody have any tips or tricks to use when drilling with the mirror? I am finding it hard to get myself orientated correctly. I assume it probably just takes practice, but i figured i'd ask anyway.

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[cdmOMR]

Practice. Its just one of those things that feels like your throwing a football with your non-dominant hand when you start. Its awkward. But you just keep doin it and then one day you walk into pre-clinic and sit down and start drillin on #3 and your like wait... Im using indirect vision and im moving the burr the right direction without thinking about it. When did that happen? Like riding a bike, not to be cliche

Now I actually prefer indirect vision whenever Im working on something maxillary

 

[jmick101]

Here is a little tip that I think will help. Two things really.

One is that when you are at your computer, turn your mouse upside down and get used to doing things squirly. It is not the same, but it helped me out.

The next things is to orient the occlusal plan perpendicular to your midline. Sit at the 12 and then orient your bur so that it is pointing at your belly button. Then you are always on the right axis, at least in one plane. This is really handy for dropping boxes. Though you wont be working at the 12 much, it is kind of like training wheels, and once you get the hang of things you wont need to do it.

Hope this helps.

 

[blumnday99]

I would always do a "dry" practice movement with the drill when looking in the mirror before stepping on the rheostat. You may not know the exact direction to move in at first, but you can correct and feel what the movement should be in the mirror. Once you feel comfortable with that movement, step on the rheostat and do it for real.

 

[Flipper405]

Thanks for these tips guys... I just had my first experience trying to drill #5 on the mannequin. Pretty disastrous tbh.. but that's to be expected first time ever using the mirror.

Also, wtf... my hand hurts from holding the fake cheek back lol

 

[JavadiCavity]

Practice, practice, practice. In dental school, it only took about two to three weeks to get proficient with indirect vision. Good luck!

 

[americanpierg]

One is that when you are at your computer, turn your mouse upside down and get used to doing things squirly. It is not the same, but it helped me out.

Haha I felt the same. It really isn't too difficult, its just one of those things that a little bit of time and practice can solve in not time.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Operating on maxillary teeth becomes easier than mandibular teeth in my opinion.

 

[Cold Front]

Operating on maxillary teeth becomes easier than mandibular teeth in my opinion.

tongue gets in the way.

dentistry in the end becomes second to nature. the hard part will always be patient management... which you never learn enough in school.

 

[SydB]

Does anybody have any tips or tricks to use when drilling with the mirror? I am finding it hard to get myself orientated correctly. I assume it probably just takes practice, but i figured i'd ask anyway.

consider OMFS

 

[Khurram]

I started my residency here in Miami a couple months ago and I cannot tell you how much easier indirect vision is when you have a good assistant! They constantly blow air on your mirror to keep the water and debris off which makes working indirectly so much easier.

I always had a bit of trouble in dental school with indirect but it's becoming second nature now.