The rousing Introduction: "We believe the dental operating microscope is, without a doubt, the single most significant acquisition to enhance an operator’s clinical skill set. The microscope leads to expanding interests, competence and confidence. The microscope is an excitement builder. In many cases, the dental operating microscope converts a semi-burned-out, mid-career dentist into a confident, enthusiastic operator who now feels "called" to his vocation. These experiences can radically transform the "back nine" years of a dental career. We believe the dental operating microscope has made the transition from “interesting possibility” to “dental necessity.” All dentists can do better work with the operating microscope. Margins that might inadvertently be left open can be closed. Cracks can be more accurately diagnosed, and treated. Caries that, in the past, needed to progress until seen with the naked eye can be treated earlier. Most dental needs can be treated more conservatively, with less loss of healthy tissue. Tissue coaptation is more perfectly accomplished leading to more rapid healing.