Which Handpiece Technology Should You Use for Dental Procedures in Your Dental Clinic?
"Consider performing a delicate dental procedure with the skill and fluidity of a skilled artist, executing each action with ease. The key? A reliable dental handpiece is the unsung hero of any dentist's equipment, making difficult jobs seem effortless."
Discover how this essential instrument can elevate your dental practice, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology for flawless results every time.
What Is A Dental Handpiece?
A dental handpiece, sometimes referred to as a dental drill, is a small, portable mechanical instrument that is used on a patient's teeth to carry out a range of dental treatments.1 Among these include:
-Caries removal
-Tooth preparation for restorations
-Dental aesthetics
-Redesigning prostheses
-Preparing teeth for root canal therapy, and crown setups
How Does A Dental Handpiece Work?
A dental handpiece is a device that powers a cutting tool—typically a dental burr—with air or water to carry out dental procedures. Air and water are supplied to the handpiece's head, which houses lubricated ball bearings and an air turbine, via the body:
Air-powered generator
To turn air pressure into rotational force, compressed air is supplied through a tube and forced into the turbine's blades. The burr is held in place by a chuck that is spun by force. The air pressure, the assembly size, and the individual parts of the turbine all affect its speed.
Sphere-shaped bearings
The burr is held firmly and centrally by the ball bearings, which facilitate smooth rotation.
Types Of Dental Handpieces
Dental professionals use a variety of handpieces depending on their expertise and the procedures they perform.
| High-Speed Handpiece | Low-Speed Handpiece | Electric Handpiece |
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The high-speed handpiece is a precise tool that removes dental tissue quickly and efficiently without needing heat, vibration, or pressure. It must be used carefully because it easily cuts teeth. Although dental high-speed handpieces vary widely in terms of design, shape, and material composition, they consistently run at speeds between 2,50,000 and 4,00,000 RPM( revolutions per minute). High-speed dental handpieces can be further distinguished by features like attachment type, head size, illumination source (fiber optic lighting), and handpiece weight.
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It is a portable motor that spins the dental bur and prophy cup at 50,000 RPM. They are used in endodontic operations including root canal therapy to refine tooth preparations and remove cavities. The features of the low-speed handpiece, which include the angle design, construction material, air/water nozzles, and dental bur attachment, might differ between manufacturers. | Effective contra-angle devices that improve accuracy and save time are electric dental handpiece equipment. When operating in confined places or at challenging angles, dentists may greatly benefit from the motorized torque of electric motors, which eliminates the requirement for air-driven precision. To save money on additional equipment purchases and to offer versatility, electric handpieces are available in an array of designs. |
Both high-speed and low-speed procedures can be performed with air-driven and electric handpieces.
- Implant Handpiece or Surgical Handpiece
Surgical handpieces are made especially for implantology and oral and maxillofacial surgery. They are constructed from premium stainless steel, giving them extra strength. These can be bought with or without fiber optics, as straight handpieces or contra-angles. - Endodontic Handpiece
Advanced dental tools called endodontic handpieces are used to clean and shape canals during root canal procedures. In most situations, these instruments can precisely drive endodontic files, preventing file breakage or binding. These precision handpieces, whether they are spinning or reciprocating, can be used with your chosen file system and other operatory equipment.
How To Choose The Finest Handpiece For Your Dental Practice?
When looking for the ideal dental equipment for your needs, there are now a lot of possibilities thanks to advancements in dental technology! For every dentist who wants to practice with accuracy, comfort, and speed, selecting the right handpiece is essential.
Choosing the right dental handpiece for your clinic can be made easier by taking into account the following recommendations:
- Speed and Torque
- Pay attention to torque and rotational speed (RPM) when using high-speed handpieces. Smoother cutting is achieved at higher RPMs, and torque gauges the force exerted on the bur.
- Select handpieces with torque and speed settings that can be adjusted to suit a variety of procedures.
- Weight
- The dentist's overall comfort level and wrist fatigue during procedures are influenced by the weight of the dental handpiece.
- Better preps, smoother margins, and improved performance can result from using a lighter handpiece, which can also lessen strain and improve maneuverability.
- Ergonomics
- Choose ergonomic designs with appropriate weight distribution, lightweight construction, and a strong grip.
- During lengthy processes, ergonomic handpieces improve precision and lessen operator fatigue.
- Noise level and Vibrations
- Reduce patient pain and enhance clinical efficacy by using handpieces with minimal vibrations and noise.
- Particularly in pediatric dentistry, less vibration and noise means more accurate work and a better patient experience.
- Cost and Warranty
- The upfront cost of electric handpiece systems is higher than that of air-driven handpieces due to their intricate internal design and the additional motor and control unit required for operation.
- Because of their intricacy, repairs are also more expensive; however, if well maintained, they tend to require fewer repairs, so overall repair costs wind up being roughly the same.
- A strong warranty signifies the manufacturer's faith in the longevity and functionality of their product.
- This commitment guarantees dental practitioners that their equipment is dependable, reducing downtime and upholding the highest standards of treatment.
- Sterilization and Maintenance
- Select handpieces that are simple to disassemble so that autoclaving or chemical treatments can be used for thorough cleaning and sterilizing.
- Make sure the materials are corrosion-resistant and sterilizable regularly.
- You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions for handpiece maintenance and sterilization.
- Handpiece Attachments
- Take into account the variety of handpiece attachments and accessories that are compatible with the handpiece.
- Depending on your procedural demands, look for adaptability in multiple add-ons such as prophy angles, polishing cups, carbide burs, and diamond burs, etc.
- Head Size and Dimension
- Accessibility and visibility are significantly impacted by the size of the handpiece head.
- A reduced head size enhances patient comfort and treatment accuracy by providing better access to small mouths and difficult-to-reach locations.
- These electric handpieces small heads don't sacrifice power, allowing dentists to operate effectively even in confined areas
- Peer Reviews
- Consult with coworkers or other dental professionals for guidance regarding their experiences using different handpieces.
- Gaining knowledge about performance and dependability by reading reviews and user comments can be quite beneficial.
- Try out demo models before you buy, if at all feasible.
- Brand Reputation and Training Support
- Reputable manufacturers frequently have a history of creating high-caliber instruments.
- Check to see if the brand offers dependable customer service, such as the availability of spare parts, technical support, and repairs.
- Certain manufacturers provide customers with workshops, training programs, and educational materials to assist them maximize their handpiece techniques and maintenance routines.
Still confused about which dental handpiece to purchase? Here is a list of the top dental handpiece brands currently available in the market.
Signel Biomedical offers a range of the best CBCT machines available in the market currently.
| Serial Number | Handpiece | Price Range* |
| 1 | Apple Dental | ₹1,500- ₹ 93,000 |
| 2 | Waldent Dental | ₹ 1,500- ₹ 1,00,000 |
| 3 | Denext Dental | ₹ 2,600- ₹ 83,000 |
| 4 | NSK Dental | ₹ 17,000- ₹ 1,20,000 |
| 5 | ORO Dental | ₹ 1,800- ₹ 80,000 |
| 6 | Eighteeth Dental | ₹ 2,000- ₹ 70,000 |
| 7 | Unicorn Denmart Dental | ₹ 4,000- ₹ 1,20,000 |
| 8 | Marathon Dental | ₹ 3,000- ₹ 1,30,000 |
*Prices may vary depending on the dealer and retailer
Rely on Signel Biomedical to provide your dental practice with handpieces that offer unparalleled value for money. We would be happy to demonstrate to you how our award-winning, future-ready dental handpieces stack up against competing models. Reach out to us at https://www.signelbiomedical.com/ or call +91 8919117478
Conclusion:
Dental handpieces are a basic and essential tool for any dental clinic. Thus, selecting the premium handpiece for your upscale dental business entails taking into account the types, parts, and functions of the handpiece in addition to the types of burs and handpiece connectors. To prolong the life of your instruments, prioritize proper maintenance with dental handpiece oil spray and dental handpiece repair kits. You can now invest in a high-end, dependable handpiece that improves your dental work and offers great patient care by keeping these things in mind!
FAQs
- What is the working principle of a dental drill?
A dental drill aka dental handpiece is either an air pressure- or electricity-powered instrument that holds a bur in its head. When the switch is turned on, it spins quickly, which makes it possible to remove decayed tooth material and shape teeth for restorations and other dental procedures. - What is the RPM of a dental handpiece?
The speed of the dental handpiece is measured in revolutions per minute, or "RPM". - How to sterilize dental handpieces?
The dental handpiece can be sterilized best by autoclaving for ten to fifteen minutes at 135°. Every handpiece should be placed in a different paper or plastic steam-sterilizing pouch. Set the cycle for 60 minutes to use the steam autoclave drying cycle. Before reusing, let the handpiece cool to room temperature. - How to maintain a dental handpiece?
The following recommendations can help keep dental handpieces in good condition:
Sterilization
Sterilize your handpieces according to the manufacturer's recommendations in between patients. Make sure the handpieces are clean and lubricated before sterilizing. Isopropyl alcohol or a mild, germicidal detergent can be used to clean them.
Lubrication
Lubricate the handpiece's motor following each autoclave cycle of five. A pen-shaped oiler can be used to put a few droplets of oil into the air tube of the driving mechanism. Every day or in between patients, you can also put a few drops of oil in the intake tube, which is often located at the bottom of the handpiece. Maintaining the lubrication of your handpieces can extend their lifespan.
Check for damage
Check your handpieces frequently for damage indicators like chips, cracks, and loose parts.
Keep in good storage
Your handpieces should be kept out of direct sunlight and heat sources in a dry, dust-free environment.
Clear the debris
Ensure that the interior components of the handpiece are free of any dirt or extra lubrication.
Change out the parts
Replace any lab containers or handpiece mechanical seals if needed.
Sources:
- Gopal Shankar Narayan, Loganathan Kavitha, Balakrishnan Venkatesh, Meenakshi Sundaram Rajasekaran, Anu Priya Guruswamy Pandian and Anil Kumar Ramachandran, 2018. “Evolution and mechanism of dental handpieces- An overview” , International Journal of Current Research, 10, (02), 65659-65664
- Miyairi H., Dental air turbine hand pieces, Journal of the Society of Mechanical Engineers. (1997) 100, no. 949, 1221–1223, https://doi.org/10.1299/jsmemag.100.949_1221.
- https://hayeshandpiece.com/dental-resources/post/types-of-dental-handpieces-and-its-role-in-dental-practice
- https://www.dentalez.com/news-happenings/choosing-the-right-dental-handpiece-for-your-practice/
- https://www.kentexpress.co.uk/kent/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-dental-handpieces.aspx?sc_lang=en-gb&hssc=1
